Stronger institutional policy needed for effective chemicals management

Stronger institutional policy needed for effective chemicals management – Holder

May 09, 2017 News

Guyana has established itself as a country which has fulfilled its obligation in the fight to promote sound chemicals management, International trade of chemicals and organic pollutants.

Agriculture Minister, Noel Holder (Right), Registrar of Pesticide and Toxics Chemical Control Board (PTCCB), Trecia David and Ambassador of Guyana to the United Nations Organization (Geneva), Dr. J.R. Deep Ford.

Guyana was represented at the 2017 Triple Conference of the Parties (COPs) in Geneva, Switzerland. The conference provided a unique opportunity for countries to shape future policies and nurture partnerships in pushing for stronger chemicals management.
It ran from April 24 and concluded on May 5, attracting over 1600 participants from Government, the private sector, civil society and academia who looked at ways to “Detox our Planet”.
Guyana’s Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder, at the Conference, underscored the importance of effective management and control of chemicals during his address to the High-Level Segment of the 2017 triple Conferences of the Parties held under the theme, “A future detoxified: Sound management of chemicals and waste”.
With the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals, Holder told regional and international policymakers that political momentum for a detoxified planet has increased, and as such, the window of opportunity must be seized.
“There can be no sustainable development without a commitment to a pollution-free planet, and this requires sound management of chemicals and waste, the sound management of chemicals and wastes is central to achieving the three dimensions of sustainable development, and should be dealt with as a priority, as well as, in a mutually supportive manner to achieve the 2030 goals,” the Minister reminded the delegation.
In outlining Guyana’s strides in chemicals management, Minister Holder stated that for the momentum to be sustained by all parties involved, there must be a National Sustainable Development plan to guide the process.

As section of the conference that was held in Geneva, Switzerland.

“Institutional frameworks must be strengthened at all levels and policy coherence achieved across all sectors. This requires strong political will, cooperation across Ministries, as well as community and end-user awareness, including partnerships,” he said.
The need for specific targets which support the commitment for sound management of chemicals and wastes in order to protect human health and environment were also highlighted.
In addition, the delegation was reminded of partnerships at the service industry levels, to further prevent pollution of streams and water bodies on which communities depend, especially those in abject poverty.
“Different levels of development and differing capacities among countries to address the challenges of chemicals and wastes management must be recognized, particularly in small island developing states, least developed countries and other vulnerable populations who have limited capacity or access to information to deal with environmental challenges.” the Minister stated.
In recent years, Guyana has seen an increase in pesticide-related incidents. A trained and certified pesticide user has a right to access pesticides, but that pesticide user must protect all others by ensuring these toxic substances are stored properly.
In April 2015, Guyana prohibited another 21 pesticides and toxic chemicals that are highly hazardous to human health and environment, making the country one of the very few countries in this region to be in compliance with obligations to the Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions and other chemicals Multilateral Environmental Agreements.

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