About PRRP - issues
Legal framework
Within the program a proper legal framework will be combined with registration and post-registration tools.
The legal framework in the PRRP - Ethiopia program will ensure the consistency between the law (Proclamation on the Registration and Control of Pesticides and the accompanying regulations) and the methodologies, guidelines etc. that will be developed during the project. The legal framework was written during the start of this program and adaptation of the current regulations and guidelines could be a result of the development of the new registration and post registration system.
Registration
Development of technical and scientific capacity will ensure sound pesticide management in Ethiopia at the pesticide registration stage. It is necessary to:
- Strengthen the administrative registration management unit through capacity building.
- Develop a scientific evaluation system for registration of agricultural pesticides (chemical and microbial biopesticides) and public health pesticides. The scientific system will focus on biological efficacy, human health aspects, pesticide residues and environmental issues.
Post registration system for pesticides
Development of a sustainable post-registration system will focus on the following issues:
- Development of reference laboratory with analytical capacities for the quality control of pesticide products used in agriculture and public health sectors.
- Monitoring systems related to pesticide quality control, user’s health and pesticide residues in agricultural products developed and linked to the Pesticide Stock Management System (PSMS).
- Inspection system of pesticide containers, labeling system and quality of pesticide control.
- Appropriate storage of pesticides and stock management of pesticides in plant protection, the control of migratory pests and vectors in public health.
- Development of a management system for empty containers and small quantities of obsolete pesticides
- Training of pesticide distributors, retailers and applicators in agriculture and public health sectors; and
- Public awareness and capacity building of professionals.
The approach will focus on the development of sustainable systems through guidelines, standards and protocols. In addition, much attention will be given to capacity building through workshops and training.
Sustainability of the developed systems
All developed systems and various elements will need to be sustainable, also after the end of the program. Therefore, approaches and mechanisms will be developed to ensure sustainability of an effective Ethiopian pesticide management system in the long term.
Sustainability will be ensured by focusing on various aspects of the development of a sustainable pesticide management system:
- A financial and institutional feasibility study will be available which assesses options for sustainable funding of pesticide management in Ethiopia, including such activities as registration, inspection, pesticide quality control, post-registration monitoring, etc.
- Technical and scientific sustainability: development options to ensure the long term technical and scientific quality of the pesticide management system in Ethiopia.
- Legal and institutional sustainability in order to ensure that all elements of the pesticide management system which are being developed have a sufficient legal basis (as far as required) and are integrated, as much as possible, within the appropriate Ethiopian government institutions and non governmental stakeholders, i.e., mainstreaming of pesticide management.
Impact assessment
Impact assessment will be done to evaluate the impact of the newly developed systems related to (post-)registration of pesticides. At the start of the project (2011) a study on the reference situation will be done focusing on:
- Pesticide use by farmers.
- Environmental impact of pesticide use.
- Impact on human health of pesticides use.
- Existing capacity of professionals.
- Knowledge of pesticide users.
After 5 - 10 years the study will be repeated and the impact of the activities within project will be evaluated.