FAO concludes the regional workshop on the Sound Management of Pesticides in Jordan

Amman - The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) concluded the regional workshop on the Sound Management of Pesticides in the Near East and North Africa (NENA) region, which lasted for three days, from 28 to 30 November, in the Jordanian capital, Amman. The workshop came in cooperation with the FAO Plant Production and Protection Division (NSP) and the Ministry of Agriculture in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. 

The workshop introduced a set of recommendations on the Sound Management of Pesticides, calling for the adoption of the Farmer Field Schools (FFS), the launch of a training program for pesticide applicators, in addition to the creation of a regional information base to assess the risks of pesticides in coordination with FAO. At the end of the workshop, the recommendations also emphasized the need for the countries of the NENA region to cooperate into the reduction of pesticide smuggling by unifying and harmonizing legislation and adopting an electronic system for the validation of pesticide registration certificates. 

“The responsibility of all stakeholders and operating parties in this sector lies in exerting great efforts and employing appropriate expertise for the better use of pesticides and the reduction of their residues in food,” emphasized Dr. Thaer Yaseen, Regional Plant Protection officer at FAO Office for the Near East and North Africa. "Our goal is to secure sufficient, safe, and sustainable food for all,” added Yaseen. 

During the workshop, participants from NENA received training on the guidelines for the registration of microbial, botanical, and semi-chemical pesticides as well as on how to mitigate the risks of highly hazardous pesticides (HHPs). The training also touched on the International Code of Conduct for Pesticide Management, and guidelines for Pesticide Quality Control and Advertising, in addition to explaining guidelines on compliance and enforcement of a pesticide regulatory program. 

“According to FAO data, the global use of pesticides has reached 4 million tons in terms of active ingredients, which has led to an increase in health and environmental problems,” said Gu Baogen, FAO NSP Senior Agricultural Officer. On the other hand, it is expected that "the world will reach more than 9 billion people by 2050, which requires a 60% increase in food production while preserving the natural resources and ecosystems of the Earth, and addressing the challenges caused by climate change and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic,” added Gu.

During the workshop, the participants called for stricter penalties for violators in the field of pesticides, stressing the importance of FAO's support to the countries of the region in getting rid of obsolete pesticides and pesticide containers. 

For his talk, Mohamed El-Hadi El-Sidatt, FAO North Africa Plant Protection Officer, stressed the need to take measures at the national level to implement the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm conventions to protect human health and the environment from the effects of pesticides and hazardous waste. "Decision-makers must be aware that the good management of chemicals, as directed by FAO, contributes to reducing the financial resources directed to the health sector for the treatment of serious diseases,” he added during his participation in the workshop. 

“Many national authorities in the NENA countries face serious challenges that impede the effectiveness of the registration system, including the insufficient number of staff and the lack of an appropriate registration system," Nabil Assaf, FAO Representative to Jordan, stated. "The limited technical expertise, the absence of risk assessment tools, and the limited access to information mean that the comprehensive assessment and recording of pesticides is not generally possible,” added Assaf. 

Pesticides play a significant role in the agricultural sector, achieving food security and improving farmers' livelihoods. Whereas the negative effects of pesticides on the environment and non-target beneficial organisms are often much greater than the benefits of using them to control pests, as they cause damage to the ecosystem, pollute water and soil, and affect human health.