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U.N. agency calls for disposal of obsolete pesticides

By Associated Press, 5/9/2001 15:23

ROME (AP) At least 550,000 tons of obsolete and unused pesticides threaten people and the environment in developing countries, a U.N. agency warned Wednesday.

The figure has soared from the estimate of about 110,000 tons two years ago, the Rome-based Food and Agriculture Organization said in a report.

The pesticide waste has accumulated in the last 30 years because a number of products have been banned for health or environmental reasons, or because they were found to be ineffective, the agency said.

In some places, the FAO said, pesticide stocks are located near farm fields and wells, contaminating water and making soil unfit for use.

Former Soviet republics and Eastern European countries account for a combined 220,000 tons of toxic pesticides, the same amount as Asia. Africa and the Middle East are estimated at 110,000 tons together.

An inventory of obsolete pesticides in the United States is still being prepared, the agency said.

Major pesticide producers are based in Europe, United States, Japan, India and China.

Disposal of the pesticides is estimated to cost about $1.30 per pound, putting the cost for destruction of all stocks at $1.5 billion.

About 3,300 tons have been removed in Africa and in the Middle East with funds provided by the FAO, the United States and some European countries.

In its report, the agency urged chemical companies to contribute to pesticide disposal.

''Support from industry is crucial ... because aid agencies and governments cannot cover all the costs,'' said Alemayehu Wodageneh, a FAO expert.

-- Anonymous, May 10, 2001