The risks posed by pesticides disproportionately fall on some countries. Exposure can be higher in countries with less capacity to assess, monitor, and manage pesticides. Gathering and documenting information on exposure and linking it to the hazards of a specific pesticide can be difficult, especially in rural agricultural areas far removed from the bureaucracies in national capitals.
In closing its meeting, the Chemical Review Committee (CRC) had to concede that several of the notifications from Mozambique had to be set aside. Most of these notifications have been considered since 2021. Members tried to elicit the information from Mozambique that could help the CRC conclude that the criteria to be part of the Convention’s prior informed consent procedure were met. Many members recognized that Mozambique followed appropriate procedures and informed its action to ban these pesticides. But, these domestic procedures did not align with what the Rotterdam Convention requires.
There will be one of the notifications from Mozambique left for the next CRC meeting to address. Cabaryl nearly achieved consensus among the members that it met the criteria. Four pesticides notified by Malaysia were also deferred to next year. They require an in-depth discussion of how various countries view, and use, maximum residue limits (MRLs), which are the highest legal level for the amount of residue that could be found on food when pesticides are applied correctly. Along with these pesticides, Committee members heard that another 25 notifications were communicated so far this year, which could again lead to a substantive workload for CRC 22.
In her closing remarks, outgoing Chair Nolozuko Gwayi reflected on her eight-year tenure and praised the CRC members for their dedication to tackling the Committee’s ever-growing workload year on year. She also commended observers, noting how the CRC has become much more inclusive and transparent over the years. Gwayi also warmly welcomed the incoming Chair, Stephen Sangster (Belize).
Selected Images
Chair Gwayi discusses the way forward with the Secretariat
Observer Sarah Maillefer, Switzerland, chats with CRC members Irene Sørvik Malme, Norway, and Suzana Andrejevic Stefanovic, Serbia
Jaya Mewara, an observer from India
CRC member Victorine Pinas, Suriname, discusses with members Saida Ech-Chayeb, Morocco, and Irene Sørvik Malme, Norway
Observers from New Zealand and Paraguay