Africa is using more pesticides than ever before, but the laws and regulations that should protect farmers and consumers from the harmful effects of these chemicals are inadequate and poorly enforced.
This is the warning of Fredrick Otieno, a chemicals risk expert and environmental planner at the Center for Environmental Justice and Development in Nairobi, Kenya.
The dangers of highly hazardous pesticides
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Otieno said that one of the main challenges facing Africa is the widespread use of highly hazardous pesticides (HHPs), which are pesticides that cause severe and sometimes irreversible harm to the environment and human health.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO), HHPs are responsible for millions of unintentional poisoning cases each year, especially in lower-income countries.
Women and children working in agricultural environments are the most vulnerable groups.
HHPs can contaminate soil, water, and food, and affect the health of farmers, consumers, and wildlife.
Some of the health effects include cancer, birth defects, neurological disorders, and respiratory problems.
Otieno said that many farmers in Africa are not aware of the risks of HHPs or how to handle them safely.
He also said that some HHPs are banned or restricted in other regions, but are still imported and used in Africa.
Otieno said that although many African countries have improved their regulatory frameworks on pesticides in line with the FAO/WHO Code of Conduct on Pesticide Management, their legislation does not adequately address the risks posed by HHPs.
He said that there is a need for stronger laws that require registration of agricultural pest control products, licensing of importers and distributors, periodic reviews of registered products, and penalties for violations.
He also said that there is a lack of market surveillance and enforcement to prevent illegal imports and sales of unregistered and counterfeit pesticides, which are often cheaper but more dangerous than genuine products.
He called for more collaboration among government agencies, border authorities, and civil society organizations to monitor and control the pesticide market.
He also urged farmers and consumers to be more informed and vigilant about the pesticides they use or buy.
According to Otieno, farmers should check if a product is registered and approved by the relevant authorities, read and follow the label instructions carefully, wear protective equipment when handling pesticides, and report any adverse effects or suspicious products.
Otieno further said that by improving pesticide policies and practices in Africa, millions of lives can be saved and the environment can be protected from irreversible damage. He said that this is not only a matter of public health, but also of social justice and human rights.
The sources of pesticide information and guidance
Moreover, Otieno said that there are several sources of information and guidance on pesticide management that can help African countries improve their policies and practices. He mentioned some examples:
The FAO/WHO Code of Conduct on Pesticide Management provides voluntary standards for responsible pesticide use throughout their life cycle.
The FAO/WHO Guidelines on Highly Hazardous Pesticides provide criteria for identifying HHPs and recommend actions to reduce their risks.
The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants aims to eliminate or restrict the production and use of certain chemicals that persist in the environment and accumulate in living organisms.
The Rotterdam Convention on Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals promotes shared responsibility between exporting and importing countries in managing hazardous chemicals.
The Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes regulates the international trade and disposal of hazardous wastes, including obsolete pesticides.
Otieno said that these sources can help African countries develop national policies and action plans on pesticide management that are consistent with international standards and best practices.
He also said that they can help raise awareness among stakeholders about the benefits of reducing pesticide use and promoting safer alternatives.
Pesticide management is a complex issue that requires collective action from all sectors involved, according to Otieno, and that he hopes his article will inspire more research, dialogue, and action on this topic in Africa.
