Rotterdam Convention Enters Into Force

ROME - Feb 24/04 - SNS -- The Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent (PIC) Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade now comes into affect and becomes legally binding on those countries which signed the document.

"This treaty will enable developing countries to avoid many of the mistakes made in the richer countries, where the misuse of chemicals and pesticides has too often harmed or killed people and damaged the environment," said Klaus Töpfer, Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

"In this way all countries will be able to reap the benefits that chemicals and pesticides can offer while ensuring that their development is environmentally sustainable," he said.

Jacques Diouf, the Director-General of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), says the treaty recognizes the fact agricultural producers in developing countries will continue to use pesticides as they try to meet rising demand for food products.

The subscriber version of the article is available by Clicking here