Tanzania Multi Stakeholder Map - WebNG

capacity for monitoring imports of POP Pesticides as well as development of
waste disposal facilities.
Through the Africa Stockpile Project, expected to commence in August 2005,
Tanzania would be able to clean up 1,200 metric tonnes of obsolete stocks of
pesticides, including 180 MT of POPs Pesticides and DDT, and set up
mechanism to control accumulation of pesticide wastes in future.
At present there is no specific provision that regulates POP Pesticides production
and use in Tanzania, however, like any other pesticides, the POP Pesticides are
controlled by existing relevant legislation. These include the Plant Protection Act
(1997) and Plant Protection Regulations (1999). The Act controls all plant
protection substances including POP Pesticides throughout their life cycle. The
Regulations provides for restricted use of pesticides that are highly toxic
including those which are controlled by the Rotterdam Convention. There is no
prospect for the importation of POP Pesticides at present and in the near future
as POP Pesticides have been cancelled from the current list of registered
pesticides in the country and pesticide registration procedures are specifically
restrictive and stringent when it comes to POP Pesticides. There exists
deficiency in enforcement, which leads to existence of illegal products in the
market. This may be attributed to lack of enough resources to enable pesticides
inspectors conducts monitoring at all border entry points and pesticides shops.
2.2 DDT
DDT has been used in the country over years since 1950’s for both agriculture
and public health. In Zanzibar, DDT was entirely used for public health and never
used for agriculture. The preference to use DDT in public health, particularly
against malaria vectors is due to its effectiveness and long residual effects. The
Government of Zanzibar banned the use of DDT for malaria control programmes
in 1988, whereas in Tanzania Mainland, a Government order to prevent the
formulation and use of DDT for agricultural purposes was made in 1997. The
decisions were solely based on effects of DDT to human health and the
environment.
Eliminating DDT is a major challenge as the country intends to reintroduce DDT
to fight against malaria. In Tanzania, with about 18 million cases every year and
100,000 deaths yearly out of which over 70,000 are children under five years of
age, malaria remains the number one killer disease in the country. It is estimated
that over 90% of Tanzanians are at risk of the disease. Twenty five (25) districts
have been identified to be malaria endemic areas. Over 40% of the country
population live in these areas. Currently, DDT is not being used but in view of the
evident crisis it is intended to be reintroduced during epidemics only. Uses will be
restricted for malaria control only and indoor spraying will be performed by
certified personnel in accordance with WHO procedures for DDT use. The
country needs further support for training on DDT use; research on alternatives
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