FAO offers a solution for risk assessment of pesticide use

According to the latest FAO estimates, the current losses of 20-40% of the crop correspond to the levels registered 50 years ago. Despite the fact that pesticides are essential in reducing these losses, if misused, they can have serious negative consequences for human health and the environment.

Intensification of agricultural production and negative impact due to climate change create an additional burden on agricultural crops, caused by the spread of pests and diseases. An important issue among farmers is the misuse of pesticides.

The issue of proper management of pesticides is being considered at a regional seminar of FAO, which is being held in Chisinau (Moldova).

The FAO Toolkit, developed by the Plant and Plant Protection Division, is designed to provide low- and middle-income countries with support for the pesticide registration process. It helps to make informed decisions and can be used to detect highly toxic pesticides, assess the risk of their use and consider possible mitigation measures.

According to Tania Santivanez, FAO expert on agriculture, regional cooperation is crucial for the management, registration and monitoring of pesticide use in Europe and Central Asia.

The expert adds that the registration of pesticides allows the authorities to determine which products are allowed for use and for what purpose. The registration also gives an opportunity to control the quality, level of use, requirements, labeling, packaging and advertising of pesticides.

On the last day of the seminar, under the guidance of FAO experts, eight countries will develop a work plan for regional cooperation on pesticide management. The purpose of this plan is to promote sustainable development of agriculture, along with protecting farmers, consumers and the ecosystem from the adverse effects of pesticides.