The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations officially handed over the FAO Recommendations on the pesticide rules to the Department of Agricultural Extension under the Ministry of Agriculture in a workshop organized today. Representatives from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) participated in the workshop on collaboration in relevant component of the projects, said a press release on Tuesday.
Saso Martinov, Senior Technical Advisor, FAO Bangladesh and Dr Fahmida Khanom, Additional Secretary (Development) MoEFCC participated the event that was chaired by Ashraf Uddin, Director, Plant Protection Wing, Department of Agricultural Extension.
The Government of Bangladesh, in collaboration with FAO, is taking crucial steps to update the Pesticide Rules under the Pesticide Act of 2018, prioritizing public health and environmental protection. This collaborative effort aims to incorporate international best legal practices into the pesticide regulations and ensure the safe and responsible use of these chemicals in the country. The initiative is done under the Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) project that is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the release added.
Saso Martinov, Senior Technical Advisor, FAO stated that, “This is an important step in managing pesticides that are used in agriculture in Bangladesh. FAO team has handed over its recommendation on the pesticide rules today and will continue to support the Government of Bangladesh in its efforts to reduce the risks of pesticides following FAO’s 4 Betters including a better life and a better environment.”
Dr Fahmida Khanom, Additional Secretary (Development), MoEFCC highlighted FAO’s support in Bangladesh's achievement of becoming free from DDT (Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) and said “The Government now wants to focus heavily on proper handling and recycling of toxic pesticide containers and the recommendations will work as a buffer for future activities.”