How do we reach the 2035 target to phase out Highly Hazardous Pesticides?
The Swedish Chemicals Agency is hosting a seminar series which highlights current challenges and opportunities in chemicals management from a regulatory perspective. The seminar series is part of the Global programme of the Swedish Chemicals Agency, funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency.
Highly hazardous pesticides are characterized by high toxicity and therefore pose higher risks to human health and the environment than other pesticides. In some parts of the world, they have been phased out, but in many countries they are still widely in use, often without adequate protection for farm workers and their families and without any risk reduction measures regarding the surrounding ecosystems or the consumers of agricultural products.
Countries have agreed in various fora to phase out these highly hazardous pesticides. The most recent high-level commitment is a phase-out target in the Global Framework on Chemicals (GFC) – for a Planet Free of Harm form Chemicals and Waste External link. from 2023.
Are we at a point in time when there is a new opening for increased efforts to address these highly hazardous pesticides? What can be done at international and national level? Which are the remaining barriers to reduced risks from highly hazardous pesticides?