FAO and Swedish Chemicals Agency Collaborate to Help Zambia and Zimbabwe Reduce Risks of Highly Hazardous Pesticides

FAO and KEMI Collaborate to Reduce Risks of Highly Hazardous Pesticides in Zimbabwe and Zambia

In a groundbreaking effort to combat the severe and irreversible harm caused by Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) partnered with the Swedish Chemicals Agency (KEMI) to support Zimbabwe and Zambia in reducing the risks associated with these toxic chemicals.

A peer learning and exchange workshop was organized in Harare from 8 to 9 May 2024, bringing together 14 pesticide regulators from both countries. The workshop aimed to compare lists of identified HHPs, share experiences of pesticide risk assessment, and identify viable alternatives to these highly toxic pesticides.

The delegates from Zambia and Zimbabwe, along with technical officers from FAO, collaborated to develop draft risk mitigation plans and exchange information on the status of HHP identification and needs assessment in their respective countries. The workshop also highlighted the importance of updating regulatory frameworks on pesticides to reduce HHP risks.

Nkole Chanda, an inspector from the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA), emphasized the critical need for caution when dealing with HHPs, as they have the potential to profoundly impact human health and the ecosystem. It is estimated that 385 million cases of unintentional pesticide poisoning occur annually worldwide, with around 11,000 fatalities.

The FAO and WHO have developed ‘International Guidelines on Highly Hazardous Pesticides’ to provide governments and stakeholders with step-by-step guidance on HHP risk reduction. By promoting alternatives to HHPs and implementing Integrated Pest Management practices, it is possible to protect human health, safeguard the environment, and ensure food security without relying on highly hazardous pesticides.

Stakeholders at the workshop called for an end to the use of HHPs and emphasized the possibility of feeding the world without these toxic chemicals. The two countries agreed to formulate a harmonized HHP Mitigation Strategy to phase out HHPs not only in Zimbabwe and Zambia but across the Southern Africa region. The collaboration between FAO, KEMI, and the two countries signals a significant step towards a safer and more sustainable agricultural future.