Pesticides Management
CODE OF CONDUCT on
distribution/use of pesticides &
Harmonization of pesticides registration
FAO Pesticide Management Group
Plant Protection Service (AGPM)
International Code of Conduct on the
Distribution and Use of Pesticides
New Features
of the
Revised Version of the
Code of Conduct
The Revised Version of the International Code
of Conduct on the Distribution and Use of
Pesticides
http://www.fao.org/agriculture/crops/core-themes/theme/pests/pm/code/
Code now available in Arabic, Chinese, English, French and Spanish
Code of Conduct
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Established in 1985, amended in 1989 to include the PICprocedure, revised at the end of 2002;
Is the globally accepted standard for pesticide management by
all stakeholders, i.e. governments, industry, public interest
groups and farmer organizations;
Is a comprehensive approach to improve pesticide management
Considers pesticide management a part of chemical
management as well as sustainable agricultural development;
The Revised Code of Conduct
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Provides the framework for a complete management
infrastructure that covers pesticides throughout their life-cycle;
Addresses all areas of pesticide management, through
supporting manuals and guidelines (production, product quality,
distribution, sale, use and disposal);
Provides, through standard-setting, a point of reference, in
particular for governments and the pesticide industry;
Applies to all public and private entities involved in pesticides
matters;
The Revised Code of Conduct
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Focuses on risk reduction, protection of human and
environmental health;
Requests for adherence to relevant Conventions and
international standards;
Strengthens the responsibilities of the major stakeholders, i.e.
governments and pesticide industries;
Encourages strongly the involvement of farmers organizations,
NGOs and others to look for alternative pest management
solutions, in particular biological control methods, by applying
IPM strategies;
Emphasizes the importance of monitoring and compliance with
the provisions of the Code.
The Revised Code of Conduct
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Adopted at the 123rd Session of the FAO Council, November
2002 (with the authorization of the Thirty-first Session of the
FAO Conference), i.e. by all FAO member countries,
Consists of 12 articles,
Annex 1 includes the reference to international agreements and
instruments,
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The references provide specific guidance and guidelines,
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Public interest groups have committed support,
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CropLife International has made adherence to the Code a
condition for its membership.
Article 1: Objectives of the Code
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Expands the list of stakeholders,
Stresses the role of training on all matters related to pesticide
management,
Incorporates the life-cycle-concept,
Promotes Integrated Pest and Vector Management (IPM and
IVM)
Makes specific reference to the Rotterdam Convention.
Article 3 and 4: Pesticide management
and Testing of Pesticides
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Stresses the importance of IPM and the need to develop less
toxic alternative pesticides,
Addresses the relevance of application methods and equipment
to reduce risk during application.
Calls upon governments exporting pesticides and IGOs to assist
developing countries,
Highlights post-registration surveillance and monitoring studies
under field conditions.
Article 5: Reducing health and
environmental risks
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Specifies surveillance and monitoring activities
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Minimization of exposure and collection of empty containers,
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Proposes to industries to halt sale or recall products when
handling or use pose an unacceptable risk,
Takes up proposals for protective measures for pesticide plants.
Article 6: Regulatory and technical
requirements
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Reflects today’s procedures for registering pesticides,
Makes reference to FAO/WHO pesticide specifications and the
determination of equivalence,
Requests for extensive data collection on export, import,
production, etc
Article 7: Availability and use
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Stresses that restrictions to the availability of pesticides are an
important factor to reduce risk,
Points out the joint responsibility of governments and industry
regarding packaging and labelling of pesticides,
Suggests the prohibition of import, sale and purchase of
pesticide products falling into WHO classes Ia and Ib.
Article 8: Distribution and trade
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Stresses the need for licensing schemes for distribution and
trade,
Points out to the reduction of potential for accumulation of
excessive pesticide stocks through market-driven supply and
reduced subsidies or donations,
Proposes improved purchasing procedures.
Article 9: Information exchange
(has undergone a total revision)
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Clarifies the need for information exchange and the role of
national authorities,
Encourages more transparency for regulatory processes and the
participation of the public.
Article 10 and 11: Labelling, packaging,
storage and disposal and
Article 11: Advertising
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Gives emphasis to the importance of labelling,
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Addresses the shared responsibility for obsolete pesticides and,
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Multilateral cooperation to solve the problem of obsolete
pesticides,
Provides precise guidance (wording) for advertisement for
pesticides.
Article 12: Monitoring and
observance of the Code
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Strengthens the role of monitoring observance to support
implementation,
Invites NGO’s, pesticide industry and other interested parties to
monitor activities related to the implementation of the Code,
Reflects the shared responsibility and cooperative spirit of key
stakeholders and the Code as a dynamic instrument.
Other International Undertakings with
Direct Implications for Pesticides, annex 1
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In addition to the Code of Conduct, Rotterdam Convention, IPPC and
to Codex Alimentarius:
The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer in
force since 1989;
The Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of
Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal since 1992;
The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, since
2004 into force.
CURRENT STATUS
and FUTURE ACTIVITIES
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Promotion and distribution of the Revised Code
(seeking cooperation e.g. with new stakeholders),
Review of existing and development of new
guidelines in support of the new provisions,
CropLife International and Pesticide Action Network
have made full commitments in support of the Code,
Associations of generic manufacturers, e.g. ALINA
and ECCA have committed their support for the Code.
New Website structure
New Information under the Code
New guidelines on the web:
 Guidelines on monitoring and observance of the
revised version of the Code of Conduct
(New guideline)
 Guidelines on efficacy evaluation for the registration
of plant protection products
(revised guideline)
 Guidelines on compliance and enforcement of a
pesticide regulatory programme
(New guideline)
Outcome of the 131st Session of FAO Council,
November 2006
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Strategic Approach to International Chemicals
Management (SAICM) was endorsed;
The Code of Conduct an important element of the
SAICM process;
The need for the agricultural sector to be fully
involved in the SAICM process;
Outcome of the 131st Session of FAO Council,
November 2006
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FAO Council suggested that the activities of FAO
could include risk reduction, including:
Promoting good agricultural practices,
Ensuring environmentally-sound disposal of stockpiles
of obsolete pesticides
Capacity building in establishing national and regional
laboratories
Conclusions on the Revised Code
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It has a comprehensive scope and it serves as an
integrative guide for all pesticide matters,
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It provides a point of reference for all stakeholders
involved in pesticide issues,
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It supports sustainable agricultural development, it
focuses on risk reduction and the protection of
environmental and human health,
Pesticide management is considered a part of
chemical management,
Conclusions on the Revised Code
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It strengthens the establishment of partnerships between
industrialized and developing countries following the principle of
shared responsibility,
It supports strongly the implementation of multilateral
environmental agreements related to pesticides, such as the
Montreal Protocol and the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm
Conventions, in particular in countries with a weak
infrastructure on pesticides,
It enhances strongly the application of other international
instruments such as Codex in support of agricultural and
economic development.
International Code of Conduct on the
Distribution and Use of Pesticides
Thank you very much for your attention
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Mark Davis et al.
Pesticides Management Group (AGPMC)
Plant Production and Protection Division, FAO
http://www.fao.org/ag/agp/agpp/pesticid &
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http://www.fao.org/agriculture/crops/core-themes/theme/pests/en
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Jan Breithaupt
Pesticides Management Group (AGPMC)
Pest- and Pesticides Risk Reduction Team
Plant Production and Protection Division, FAO
http://www.fao.org/agriculture/crops/core-themes/theme/pests/en/