Pesticide Problems in Guatemala and Nicaragua
September 25, 1998
Serious public health and environmental problems related to
pesticide use exist in both Nicaragua and Guatemala, according to a
recent report from the Danish Agency for International Development
(DANIDA). The report found that while precise data on health effects
remains elusive, new estimates place the annual acute illness rate
due to pesticides in the range of 11,000 to 30,000 cases in
Guatemala. In Nicaragua, estimates of annual poisonings are
approximately 10,000 cases. (Nicaragua's population is about four
million, and Guatemala's is nearly 10 million.)
Pesticide imports to Nicaragua and Guatemala declined in the 1980s,
due largely to the collapse of Central American cotton production
and a decade long political and economic crisis. However, the report
found that imports of agrochemicals began to increase again by the
mid-1990s as both countries expanded agricultural exports in
attempts to solve economic problems. The report's analysis of import
data uncovered disturbing evidence of continued reliance on
pesticides classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as
Class 1A ("extremely hazardous") and 1B ("highly hazardous"). In
both countries, quantities of these pesticides as a percentage of
total pesticide imports has not changed significantly from preceding
decades.
While legislation exists to regulate pesticide use in Nicaragua and
Guatemala, the report found that progress to reduce risks associated
with pesticide use has been countered by the declining role of the
state in both countries, exemplified by cuts in government staff.
This has been coupled with increasing emphasis on export-led
economic growth which, in the case of agriculture, means a
potentially greater dependence on pesticides.
The report outlines specific recommendations for DANIDA including
directing Danish development assistance in the agricultural sector
toward greater reliance on alternative pest control strategies such
as integrated pest management. It also recommended altering
agricultural credit supports to reduce what is presently almost
exclusive reliance by Central American governments and private
lending institutions on pesticide-based pest control methods. As an
alternative, the report stresses the need for organic production and
marketing initiatives.
The authors of the report recognize that for change to occur in
Nicaragua and Guatemala, action must also be taken internationally.
To achieve this goal, they recommend international pressure to curb
the production, sale and use of WHO Category 1A and 1B pesticides as
well as pressure to alter multilateral lending institutions'
policies and practices that favor chemical-intensive agricultural
development. At the same time, there must be support for alternative
and fair trade initiatives.
DANIDA is currently funding a seven country project called
PLAGSALUD, designed to address health problems in Central America
caused by pesticides. The agency is also developing a major
agriculture sector support program with Nicaragua based on the
report's findings.
"Pesticide Problems in Nicaragua and Guatemala, and Opportunities
for their Reduction," was written under contract for the Danish
government by Development and Equity, a Colorado-based consulting
cooperative specializing in technical assistance to sustainable
development initiatives.
Source: Pesticide News, September 1998.
Contact: The Pesticides Trust, Eurolink Centre, 49 Effra Road,
London SW2 1BZ UK; phone (44-171) 274 8895; fax (44-171) 274 9084;
email pesttrust@gn.apc.org; www.gn.apc.org/pesticidestrust.
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