12th International HCH and Pesticides Forum 6-8 November, 2013, Kiev, Ukraine 12th International HCH and Pesticides Forum 12th Forum 10 years after the 7th forum in Kiev: what has been achieved in a decade in Ukraine – what is Ukraine’s role for the other EECCA countries 6-8 November, 2013, Kiev, Ukraine PROCEEDINGS 3 COORDINATION & SUPPORT John Vijgen [email protected] Stela Dezsy [email protected] LANGUAGE CONTROL Diana Mazgutova [email protected] DESIGN Andrea Vijgen Strøbæk [email protected] ISBN NR 978-87-991210-0-7 4 Organizers • International HCH & Pesticides Association (IHPA), • Tauw, The Netherlands The Netherlands • Veolia, United Kingdom • Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, Ukraine • Witteveen + Bos, The Netherlands • Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine • Institute of Geochemistry of Environment (National Academy of Science of Ukraine) • ECOINTOX (Medved Institute), Ukraine • S.I. Group Consort, Israel • FAO • Federal Environment Agency of Germany (UBA) • Free University of Berlin, Germany • Green Cross, Switzerland • GreenTox, Switzerland • Milieukontakt International, The Netherlands • Orion b.v., The Netherlands • POPs Environmental Consulting, Germany • Ramboll, Denmark • RECETOX (REsearch CEntre for TOXic compounds in the environment), Brno, Czech Republic 5 Sponsors • EDL, New Zealand • EU-FAO fnanced Project “Improving capacities to eliminate and prevent recurrence of obsolete pesticides as a model for tackling unused hazardous chemicals in the former Soviet Union” • GEF-UNEP-WHO Project “Demonstrating and Scaling-up of Sustainable Alternatives to DDT in Vector Management Global Programme“ • SI Group Consort Ltd., Israel • FAO • Federal Environment Agency of Germany (UBA) • FREE University of Berlin, Germany • GreenTox, Switzerland • SAVA, Germany • TREDI, France • Veolia, United Kingdom • POLYECO S.A., Greece • PortService, Poland 6 Introduction Forum Sponsors This booklet summarizes the outcomes of the 12th International The International HCH and Pesticides Forum in Kiev was spon- HCH and Pesticides Forum held in Kiev, Ukraine, 6-8th No v em- sored by: ber 2013. the European Union through the project “Improving capacities to It presents the background for the Forum and the Forum Decla r a- eliminate and prevent recurrence of obsolete pesticides as a model tion, which was read out and fully endorsed by all participants. for tackling unused hazardous chemicals in the former Soviet Union”, FAO, the GEF-UNEP- WHO Project “Demonstrating Furthermore, the booklet contains important statements from the and Scaling-up of Sustainable Alternatives to DDT in Vector Ma- Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Ukraine, Mr. nagement Global Programme”, GreenTox, Switzerland, SI Group Oleg Proskuryakov, the Minister of Environment of the Republic Consort Ltd., Israel of Moldova Mr. Gheorghe Șalaru, the European Commissioner to the Environment Mr. Janez Potočnik , and the State Secretary EDL, New Zealand, Federal Environment Agency of Germany on Health Protection of Slovenia, Ms. Brigita Čokl, who all ad - (UBA), Free University of Berlin, Germany, POLYECO S.A., dressed the Forum and emphasised the urgency of fnding proper Greece, PortService, Poland, SAVA, Germany, TREDI, France, solutions to the elimination of obsolete pesticides in the region. Veolia, United Kingdom. We trust that this report can contribute to IHPA is grateful for the support given from all companies and or - the efforts of the authorities to develop better ganisations. Your support facilitated the 12th Forum in Kiev. This policies and strategies to the obsolete pesticides issues, their im - enabled easy access for Regional experts to travel to Kiev and to pacts on public health, the ecosystem and the National Economies particpate in the discussions. Thank you all. and to promote continued and accelerated action. For more information on the subject, please visit our website on www.ihpa.info. The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily refect the views of the European Commission, Food and Agriculture Organisation, the Global Environment Facility and United Nations Environment Programme. 7 The 12th International HCH and Pesticides Forum The 12th International HCH and Pesticides Forum created a The sessions during the Forum were launched by high-level platform for discussing the national and regional strategies, discussions on framework conditions and followed by various action plans and fnancial resources for elimination of obsolete thematic technical sessions. At the high level session three panel pesticides with a special focus on the need for accelerated action. discussions were organised; a political panel discussion, a panel Valuable scientifc results and best practices were exchanged; discussion with industry and private investors representatives; and the progress in the Ukraine was showcased, emphasizing the and a panel discussion with representatives of the most important importance of Government determination and focus. International Financing Institutions (IFIs). On November 6 – 8th the 12th Forum on HCH and Pesticides High-level discussions Forum was held in Kiev, Ukraine with participation of more than The political session included a statement by the Minister of 220 experts from more than 40 countries. Environment of the Republic of Moldova, Mr. Gheorghe Șala - ru, as well as positions from the EU Delegation in Ukraine, Mr. The 12th Forum brought together governments, international Jean-Francois Moret and the Vice-Chair of the Committee on the fnancing institutions, UN agencies, representatives from EU Environment, Public Health and Food Safety of the European in st i tutions, IGOs, NGOs, academia and the private sector for Parliament, Mr. Dan Jørgensen. They all expressed their political further exchange of information and possible cooperation among commitment and stated their support for further action. countries, experts, institutions and donors. The Forum was initia- ted and enabled by the International HCH and Pesticides Associ- In the industrial session, the representatives included Mr. Ilya ation (IHPA) in order to follow up on the progress since the 11th Marchewsky from SI Group Israel, Chairman, Mr. Thomas Forum in Gabala, Republic of Azerbaijan in 2011. Va ndenbrouque from Tredi International, Mr. Jean-Francois Nogrette, Veolia and CEO of SARP Industries group. The par - The Forum was hosted by the Ministry of Ecology & Natural ticipants discussed barriers and potentials. They expressed their Resources of the Ukraine, and the participants expressed their willingness for investment in regional facilities and clean up gratitude to the Ministry for its hospitality and generous contribu- technologies and stressed the need for a clear legal framework tion in organizing this Forum. and political will to ensure a regulated and transparent market for obsolete pesticides (and other hazardous waste) treatment and elimination. 8 The last panel discussion focussed on the role of the major IFIs. Their representatives included Mr. Ibrahima Sow from the GEF, Dr. Kevin Helps from FAO and Dr. David Piper from UNEP. All representatives ensured the availability of support to well-pre - pared and Government supported projects. The High-level discussion was followed by thematic technical sessions including all key issues related to Persistent Organic Pollutants and their impact on human health, the ecosystem and economy, including the consequences of non-action. Among ot hers, IHPA launched a new approach to quantifying the socio- eco nomic damages and losses, and will with this approach work for a more comprehensive assessment of the impacts from obso- lete pesticides. It is expected that the outcomes of this approach will also make the international community better aware of the huge economic effects and will lead to both acceleration and a higher level of ambition to eradicate obsolete pesticides. 9 It is time to accelerate action By John Vijgen, Director IHPA For decades obsolete pesticides have contaminated the soil and When looking at the region, Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova stand water destroying natural resources with large consequences for out in their determination to advance. But also other countries human health, ecosystems and national economies. make progress. Russia has recently ratifed the Stockholm Con- The adoption of the Stockholm Convention in 2001 was an im- vention, technical capacities have been built in Azerbaijan and portant step in the direction towards a pesticide free future. collection and long-term storage of obsolete pesticides have taken However, after more than ten years with the Stockholm conven- place in Turkmenistan. Moldova and Azerbaijan have started to tion, initiatives to eliminate stocks in EECCA-region have turned conduct detailed mapping of obsolete pesticides in soil and water out to develop slowly, amongst other due to lack of technical in areas where pesticides previously have been stored. capacity and funding. Much more should be done to combat further spreading of per- Non-action is too expensive sistent organic pollutants into the environment. Our collective effort has proven to be too slim and too uncoordi- nated to mitigate the growing pollution caused by obsolete pesti- Damages and Losses cides. To support national governments, IHPA proposes a new approach that combines identifcation of damages and quantifcation of the Today we still see persistent organic pollutants migrating into economic losses of non-action. the environment,