Tanzania Multi Stakeholder Map - WebNG

Mr. Akhabuhaya – Registrar of Pesticides, Tropical Pesticides Research
Institute
The presentation gave a brief history of the International Code of Conduct on the
distribution and use of pesticides.
The objectives of the code are to establish voluntary standards and shared
responsibilities to all stakeholders with respect to the distribution and use of
pesticides (especially where there is inadequate or no legislation) so as to ensure
effective and safe use of pesticides. Major stakeholders are Governments
(importers and exporters), international organization, pesticides industries
including manufacturers, traders, exporters, distributor etc. other stakeholders
are Farmers, Food industry, Consumers, Environmentalists, Crop consultants,
NGOs etc.
The presenter noted the following challenges hampering full implementation of
the Code: Lack of funds, personnel, poor infrastructure etc; poor planning of
activities; and ignorance of roles and activities; Deficient laws and regulations
(PPA and regulations are being reviewed); Uninformed and unwilling
stakeholders and not all stakeholders know their role; and some who know are
reluctant. In order to meet these challenges there is a need to update laws and
regulations (incorporate the Code articles; introduce penalties etc.); create
sustainable capacity building activities; adequate staff and laboratories; have
enough technical training; conduct common workshops and meetings; effective
information exchange mechanism (publications, websites etc); adequate
sensitisation on the CODE to all stakeholders and the general public; pressure
from stakeholders such as NGOs; individuals; and through mass media etc.
The presenter elaborated on how observance of the code would contribute to
poverty alleviation. Minimizing pesticides use (through IPM, minimal imports,
judicious uses etc) will save foreign exchange and minimize health &
environmental risks; minimise obsolete and other unwanted stocks; increase
exports through minimal residues, and high quality products; increase
productivity through use of quality and recommended products use; and save
farmer and country’s money through elimination of “fake pesticides”, elimination
of illegal distributors, importers etc.
After the presentation, participants asked that FAO Code of conduct is a
voluntary mechanism as presented. Being voluntary code without a legal or
enforcing mechanism, how its implementation could be ensured, and the reaction
was that it is really voluntary but also it has been a good source of other chemical
conventions such as PIC (Basel), Rotterdam, etc. Implementation of these
Conventions will indirectly mean complying with the Code of conduct. It was
further commended that FAO code is broad in nature, it is difficulty to make
mandatory due to a lot of activities put in place and there are so many topics to
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