St. Johns Antigua, July 14 ….An inventory, targeting Obsolete Pesticides’ aimed towards determining the extent of the problem in Antigua & Barbuda and the wider Caribbean is among the highest priority for the region, to eradicate the chemicals as they seek to mitigate the implications on health and the environment.

Dr. Malverne Spencer Director of Analytical Services and the Chairman of the Pesticide and Toxic Chemicals Control Board (PTCCB), on Wednesday, held a consultative meeting with stakeholders to introduce and at the same time seek their participation in the initiative supported by the Food and Agriculture of the United Nations’ (FAO-UN).

 He stressed that it is very costly, especially on health and environment for a country to have obsolete chemicals. . The Project was set up as a regional approach for the launching of an initiative for the removal and final disposal of obsolete stocks of pesticides.

 It includes both Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and non-POPs pesticides and, where necessary and feasible, PCB waste. The project seeks to establish a policy and long-term mechanism for the prevention and the minimization of unwanted stocks of pesticides and their Environmentally Sustainable Management (ESM), including their final disposal. Among the stakeholders present were members of the PTCCB, management personnel of Central Marketing Corporation (CMC) and Agricultural Development Corporation (ADC), some distributors of agro –chemicals.

Dr. Spencer reported to the stakeholders that during the 14th Annual Meeting of the Co-ordinating Group of the Pesticides Control Boards CGPC of the Caribbean in Georgetown, Guyana, last year June, participants identified and discussed the key issues, “The two top ranking issues were obsolete pesticides disposal and the management of pesticides containers.

The CGPC agreed that dealing with obsolete pesticides in the Caribbean countries was a greater priority and adopted the project as a regional coordinating mechanism for pesticides risk reduction and the elimination of obsolete chemicals in keeping with its mission statement and vision,” he added.

As the situation, stands in the Caribbean, the availability of baseline data is limited. As a result the chairman explained, the project which was conceived in 2009 will begin its execution this year, in two –phases. The initial, activities in the first phase of the project are designed to provide a comprehensive picture of the baseline situation with regard to identify quantities, of obsolete pesticides.

He added that, to this end, a detailed field inventory of all obsolete pesticides in each country, including Antigua & Barbuda, will be undertaken. Dr. Spencer noted that the inventory will be conducted in keeping with FAO-developed standard methodologies, and its code of conduct on the distribution and use of pesticides to help make the inventory more useful for planning purposes.

 This data which is collected, Dr Spencer said, would be sent to FAO UN representative based in Barbados to be collated for the headquarters’ database in Rome.

He added that after the information would have been analyzed to determine the risk posed to the region, then the necessary clean-up procedure, would be implemented. Each country, he added is mandated to carry-out their own assessment to determine the extent of the problem.

 “When we talk about obsolete chemical pesticides we are referring to chemicals that the expiry date has run out, or has no label, have been banned under the international convention, so if we have any of those here it means we have obsolete pesticides,” he explained.

The second phase, the chairman of the PTCCB disclosed, is the clean –up of the obsolete pesticides in the countries. This methodology would be developed based on the results of the assessment of the information collated.

 “They might have to contract a company to re –package the chemicals in the individual countries for shipment out of the region ; ” he added that, following the cleanup of obsolete pesticides, it is important that measures are put in place to improve pesticides management and sustainable pest management to prevent re –occurrence.

 Dr. Spencer noted that the meeting, in Suriname was conducted in two parts, Training of Trainers Workshop for Obsolete Pesticides and Inventory and Environmental Assessment and the 15th annual meeting of the CGPC.

 Additional, Dr. Spencer noted that some insight was given on the programmes, tools and strategies offered by FAO and other organizations in the area, to include, the International Code of Conduct on the Distribution and Use of Pesticides, technical guidelines associated with the Code of Conduct, Pesticide Residues and Pesticide Specifications, Pesticide Risk Reduction and Obsolete Pesticide Management.

So far, Antigua & Barbuda has received sample quantities of protective gear to move ahead with the inventory in the form of, DuPont Personal Protection (coverall), combined Gas-Vapour Particulate Respirator and protective gas respirator among others.

The respirators respectively, can be used at a concentration of up to 20-times the occupational exposure limit and protect wearer against combination gas vapour and particulate contaminants.

Dr. Spencer participated in a workshop convened to train participants in best practice and in the use of the tools and methods developed by FAO thus enabling, him to effectively train personnel in these methods.

Among the areas covered were pesticide information, toxicity and exposure, Safe working and task based risk assessment, Stakeholder identification, Identification of pesticide holders locations, Personal protective equipment types and practical aspects of PPE, Pesticides Stock Management Systems (PSMS) forms, Site and store information and site and store plans, Photos, movies and GPS, Risk questionnaire, Scoping, planning logistics and resource requirements, Procurement plan, Budget and work plan development and Inventory plan document.

 Meanwhile, Minister of Agriculture, Lands, Housing & the Environment Hon. Hilson Baptiste reinforced his commitment to the objectives of the project and encouraged “stakeholders to seriously address chemical safety in the areas of agriculture, environment, health, industry and labour, more effectively.

“ Last year, between, September 27-October 3rd , the Pesticide Control Board, held its annual Pesticide Awareness Week, under the theme, “Improving Pesticides Management through Education and Participation.” Several public awareness programs were carried out including a workshop with the fire fighters on the Management of fires involving Pesticides and toxic chemicals.

 This year’s pesticide awareness day is September 27; and Pesticides Awareness Week will run from September 26 to October 2nd. The theme is “Eliminating Obsolete Pesticides Today for a Healthier Tomorrow.

 Email onika.campbell@gmail.com to schedule an interview.