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The Pesticides Reduction Network in Cambodia (PRN-C) was established in 1999. It brings together local and international NGOs, government agencies, researchers, environmentalists, educators and students to discuss current pesticide problems and to work together to reduce pesticides use in Cambodia and to promote botanical pesticides for sustainable agriculture and lifestyles.
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In Cambodia, more than 80 percent of the total population are farmers and most of them are using dangerous pesticides for their agriculture in ignorance of their threat to health and environment. Pesticides are often imported illegally across Cambodia’s uncontrollable borders. According to regulations, pesticides imported and marketed in Cambodia must have a label on the pesticide packaging in the Khmer language. However, in actual practice, few pesticides have such labelling.
Many Cambodian farmers mistakenly believe that all pesticides in powder form are “DDT” and all liquid pesticides are “Endrin”. Among the nine pesticides which are persistent organic pollutants (POPs) internationally banned by the Stockholm Convention (Aldrin, Chlordane, DDT, Dieldrin, Endrin, Heptachlor, Hexachlorobenzene, Mirex and Toxaphene), DDT and Endrin are very popular with Cambodian farmers. Cambodians also frequently use other POP Pesticides, for example, Chlordane and Heptachlor
As Cambodia becomes a member of ASEAN and WTO, it is more important than ever to raise environmental issues and encourage fellow Cambodians to seek sustainable agriculture methods and lifestyles. Hence, there is a need to continue to raise awareness, to promote debate, and to bring the concerns of NGOs and the voices of local people to decision-makers, government institutions and development agencies, resulting in better protection of safety, health of people and the environment.
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