EU to Start Project to Clean up Pesticides Former Soviet Republics

HOLTE, Denmark, September 15, 2011 -

The EU has decided to start a project - “Improving capacities to eliminate and prevent recurrence of obsolete pesticides as a model for tackling unused hazardous chemicals in the former Soviet Union” - to support the former Soviet Republics in cleaning up the old pesticide storage places. The budget of 7 million Euros is intended to eliminate implementation issues in the entire operation, which will cost at least 700 million. Three members of the European Parliament, Danish Dan Jorgensen, Dutch CDA politicians Ria Oomen and Esther de Lange, have promised to follow this project and the required actions and to further stimulate it.

This is the main outcome of the 11^th Forum about HCH and Obsolete Pesticides, which was held by the the IHPA in Gabala, Azerbaijan this year from the 7th to the 9^th of September.

During the opening session, the Azerbaijani Minister of Environment, Huseyn Bagirov, also indicated that his country wants to completely clean up the pesticides from the Soviet era in 8 to 10 years. Azerbaijan wants to take a leading position in the Caucasus and Central Asia with this clean-up action.

All this is partially the result of the work that the IHPA, the International HCH & Pesticides Association has accomplished. IHPA has been organizing a conference about the problems of obsolete pesticides every two years since 1992. Over 120 participants from more than 40 countries took part in this conference again this time. IHPA president, Bram de Borst, B Sc. commented: “It is remarkable that the willingness to share experiences between countries has been increasing and that the solution of this world-wide problem has now been accelerated.”

During the past three years, more than 100 people in the Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asian regions have been getting trained with the help of IHPA in localizing obsolete pesticide storage places, civilian participation and repackaging of these substances. IHPA is also permanently working on putting pressure on international donor organizations and politicians to engage them in the pesticide problem.

About IHPA

The International HCH and Pesticides Association is a Foundation with a clear mission: To free the world from obsolete pesticides. IHPA has therefore committed itself to ensuring that the elimination of obsolete pesticides is on the global agenda. IHPA initiates bi-annual meetings for exchange of information and review of results.

The issue of obsolete pesticides is not only an environmental problem; it also impacts the quality of life and the right to live in a safe environment. The issue of obsolete pesticides and the damages and impacts they cause have a direct influence on the quality of life of people, especially the poor, the old, women and children living in rural areas. And obsolete pesticides have long term effects on environmental quality, human health and the ecosystem. Scientific (medical) research shows more and more the threats of low concentrations of dangerous chemicals, including pesticides on human health.

For more information, please contact: Pieter Vonk, head of Marketing & Communication Department Tauw, T +31-57-06-99-45-5, M +31-65-31-44-90-1, Email: pieter.vonk at tauw.nl