Position paper on pesticide from Better Cotton and partners
Sustainability programme Better Cotton has published a new position paper calling for a global phase-out of highly hazardous pesticides (HHPs) across agricultural supply chains.
HHPs have historically been used to combat pests that can damage cotton and other crops. Exposure to such pesticides can, however, jeopardise the health and safety of agricultural workers, even when they use personal protective equipment.
Ahead of the fifth session of the International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM5), set to take place in Bonn, Germany, from September 25-29, Better Cotton has urged authorities to enforce regulatory frameworks that would mandate the elimination of highly hazardous agrochemicals.
It is part of a coaltion on pest management, along with Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance, the Sustainable Agriculture Network (SAN), and the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).
Actions the coalition has called for include committing to the global phase-out of HHPs through coordinated and time-bound actions, and support for agricultural producers in their efforts to move to more sustainable practices.
The coalition is also calling for investment in research and innovation to develop safer alternatives to HHPs that will be affordable and accessible to farmers worldwide.
Coalition members estimate that a move away from HHPs could help farmers producing cotton, cocoa, coffee, palm oil and tea across more than 13 million hectares of land.
Commenting on the new position paper, Better Cotton chief executive, Alan McClay, said: “Only a global response to the use of highly hazardous pesticides in agricultural supply chains will ensure that farmers and their land are protected from harmful impacts. We hope authorities will join us in driving change.”
