13th Virtual Meeting of the Caribbean Group of Pesticide Control Boards

During the 13th Virtual Meeting discussions focused heavily on the restrictions imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the options available for adapting initial plans and instituting contingency plans for the implementation of project activities where possible.

During the Virtual Meeting, Guy Mathurin, Regional Pesticides Project Coordinator at FAO indicated that due to the focus of replacing the use of hazardous pesticides with ecologically sound and socially just alternatives that Pesticide Action Network UK (PAN-UK) was contracted under the Caribbean Pesticides Management Project to carry out a number of project activities. Some of the activities include conducting a survey on pesticide containers and a knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) survey; in addition to developing a Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs) alternatives and risk reduction plan for the Caribbean.

In presenting their work plan for the project for 2020, PAN-UK indicated that due to travel restrictions, they would no longer be able to conduct in-country consultations, however, discussed the possibility for activities to be facilitated remotely, based on the interest and capacity of countries. 

The participants were also benefitted from Agrivalor Guadeloupe’s presentation as the organization specializes in the recycling and disposal of agricultural waste produced by farming activities at the national level, and will examine waste disposal and management of empty pesticide containers of several countries in the region and make recommendations on recycling and/or environmentally friendly disposal.

Mr Mathurin explained, “The project has engaged stakeholders in at least five project countries on empty container management. Suriname has a pilot programme which has already collected seven tonnes of empty containers. Similarly, within the other project countries, committees are coming together to also run similar pilots. The question remains however, after these containers are collected, what will we do with them?”

The CGPC also discussed a number of pressing matters arising from the 23rd Meeting of the CGPC including providing updates on a roster of experts being prepared by CAHFSA, the Regional Technical Working Group on Pesticide Registration and the 24th Meeting of the CGPC set to held in Guyana later this year.

Although there was uncertainty with the ability to facilitate in-country activities at this time, it was agreed that a number of pending tasks could continue virtually. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, countries under the Caribbean Pesticide Management Project are set to review capacities for facilitating such activities remotely.