Biotech Updates

FAO: Highly Hazardous Pesticides Should be Removed in Developing Countries

July 31, 2013

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) calls for the immediate withdrawal of highly hazardous pesticides from markets in developing countries after the tragic incident in Bihar, India where 23 school children died after eating a school meal contaminated with monocrotophos.

Monocrotophos is an organophosphorus pesticide that is considered highly hazardous by FAO and the World Health Organization (WHO). Experience in many developing countries shows that the distribution and use of such highly toxic products very often poses a serious risk to human health and the environment.

Among international organizations, including FAO, WHO, and the World Bank, there is consensus that highly hazardous products should not be available to small scale farmers who lack knowledge and the proper sprayers, protective gear and storage facilities to manage such products appropriately.

See FAO's news release at http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/180968/icode/.