How are the indirect costs of pesticides to be costed and paid for?

Subject:   [Fwd: Pesticide Information Update: 25/04/2000]
Date:      Thu, 27 Apr 2000 11:42:45 -0400
From:        Stephen Tvedten <steve@getipm.com>
Organization:     Get Set Inc. (www.getipm.com)

To:     Lyndon Hawkins <hawkins@empm.cdpr.ca.gov>
          Senior Research Scientist
          State of California, Department of Pesticide Regulation - Integrated Pest Management

Dear Lyndon, I thought you might be interested in some more sound science from the UK on the inherent dangers of your "registered" pesticides.

Environment groups respond to industry pesticide education proposals How are the indirect costs of pesticides to be costed and paid for? The British Agrochemicals Agency has published proposals A Partnership Approach to Minimising the Environmental Impacts of Crop Protection Chemicals (http://www.baa.org.uk) and environment organisations have issued their response.

A ten-point pesticide reduction programme has been proposed by 8 organisations brought together by Wildlife and Countryside Link. These include the Bat Conservation Trust, Butterfly Conservation, CPRE, Pesticide Action Network UK (formerly the Pesticides Trust), Plantlife, Ramblers' Association, RSPB and WWF-UK. The groups have developed a programme that outlines a set of ten key issues that the BAA's package must address in order to deliver benefits comparable to those of a tax:

·Reduced environmental impacts of pesticides
·Changed pesticide application behaviour: reduced applications
·Changed pesticide application behaviour: less harmful chemicals
·Raised environmental awareness
·Revenue with the potential for hypothecation
·Classification of pesticides according to environmental impact
·Development of greener products
·Embodiment of Polluter Pays Principle
·Ease of implementation and assessment
·Equitable application

The paper and accompanying letter to DETR is available on PAN UK’s website: Ten Elements of a Pesticide Impact Reduction.Strategy http://www.pan-uk.org/press/redstrat.htm

In the meantime the BAA proposals have now been posted on the DETR website with an invitation to comment by 14 July: (http://www.environment.detr.gov.uk/pesticidesforum/baaprop.htm)

********************************************************************************

The Environment Agency’s endocrine strategy This report assesses what actions should be taken on the potentially serious effects of endocrine disrupting substances in our environment. The endocrine system is critical to the functioning of both animals and plants, controlling growth, maintenance and reproduction. Given the present uncertainty about which substances might be exerting damaging effects the strategy proposes two priority actions: Implementation of pollution-reduction programmes for certain substances with reported endocrine-disrupting properties which are already subject to statutory control in the UK for other reasons (Category 1 substances). The pesticides included are:

·DDT
·Aldrin, endrin and dieldrin (the ‘drins’)
·Tributlytin
·Atrazine
·Simazine
·Demeton-s-methyl
·Dimethoate
·Linuron
·Permethrin

Reduction of the quantities of other substances released into the environment which are not already subject to statutory designations but for which the Agency believes there is evidence that they are causing actual or potential effects in wildlife populations (Category 1 substances).

·These chemicals are generally alkylphenols and steroids – no pesticides are listed.

PAN-UK notes the list of category 1 substances is the same as that published by the Institute for Environmental Health early in 1998 – with the exception of chlorfenvinphos and diazinon, 2 OP pesticides whose agricultural approvals are due to be revoked in the spring of 2001. A ‘European Community’ list is awaited – and other pesticides have been identified as endocrine disruptors by other regulators including Germany and the OSPAR Conference See Fact sheet: Endocrine-disrupting Pesticideshttp://www.pan-uk.org/articles/pn45p16.htm

The strategy is available at the Agency’s website http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/issues/endocrin.html

********************************************************************************

PSD has revamped its own website which now includes more information on pesticides – including frequently-asked questions and activities of committees such as the Advisory Committee on Pesticides and the Pesticide Residues Committee (formerly the Working Party on Pesticide Residues). Results of the recent follow-up survey to check on levels of the growth regulator chlormequat in pears are also published. See Pesticides in your Pears: http://www.pan-uk.org/articles/pn45p6.htm

********************************************************************************

The days of organophosphate pesticides on the open market are numbered. There is growing evidence of their short and long-term adverse impacts on both health and the environment. A scientific workshop held in London on Tuesday 28 March 2000 brought together establishment scientists, regulators, and campaigners, in an attempt to reach a consensus about the research needed to satisfy concerns about the safety of OPs. Meeting report available: http://www.pan-uk.org/press/opworksh.htm

********************************************************************************

Pesticides News No.47- online articles Building resources for sustainable agriculture in West Africa

In September 1998, five non-governmental organisations (NGOs) began a collaborative project to establish documentation centres on pesticides and an outreach programme working with farmers, agricultural research and extension, the health services and decision makers to raise awareness of pesticide hazards and promote sustainable alternatives in three West African countries. A workshop held in Benin from 15-21 January 2000 brought the partners together to share experiences and developments. Barbara Dinham reports from Benin. http://www.pan-uk.org/articles/pn47p4.htm

Endosulfan deaths and poisonings in Benin Official sources in Benin state that at least 37 people died over the 1999/2000 season in the northern Borgou province due to endosulfan poisoning, while another 36 people experienced serious ill health. In view of the relative share of the Borgou province in national cotton crop area, Peter Ton, Silvère Tovignan and Simplice Davo Vodouhê report that at least 70 people may in fact have died in Benin over the season from endosulfan poisoning. http://www.pan-uk.org/articles/pn47p12.htm

Endosulfan is an organochlorine insecticide and acaricide, and acts as a contact poison in a wide variety of insects and mites. Endosulfan is effective against a wide range of insects and certain mites on cereals, coffee, cotton, fruit, oilseeds, potato, tea, vegetable and other crops. It can also be used as a wood preservative. http://www.pan-uk.org/actives/endosulf.htm

Bed bugs infesting a house give off a nasty smell from ‘stink glands’. In these conditions, writes David Allen, the only solution may be to throw out the old mattress and take practical steps which avoid toxic chemicals. http://www.pan-uk.org/briefing/bedbugs.htm

David Allen, Office Manager
Pesticide Action Network UK
(formerly the Pesticides Trust)
Eurolink Centre
49 Effra Road
London SW2 1BZ
Tel: +44 (0)20 7274 8895
Tel: +44 (0)20 7274 9084
Email: davidallen@pan-uk.org
Join our free on-line Pesticide Information Updates Service at:
http://www.pan-uk.org

The inherent dangers in continuing to use your "registered" POISONS is becoming very clear all over the world. When will it be "legal" (in your opinion) to use safe and far more effective alternatives to actually control pest problems in California?

TOP
If you would like to be included in our mailing list for continuing information on pesticides, Email Us. with "subscribe" in the subject line.

Nontoxic Products Recommended by Steve Tvedten

Now Available

Safe 2 Use Products and Services