Transitioning away from HHPs to biopesticides
Highly hazardous pesticides harm both the environment by contaminating soil, water, and air, reducing biodiversity and disrupting entire ecosystems. In recent years, alternatives to pesticide use such as biopesticides and other agroecological approaches have gained momentum. But there are barriers such as limited infrastructure and incentives or non-adapted regulatory rules. Read key take-aways from a BRS COPs side event co-organized by Biovision and a recently published policy brief on the organic input sector in Kenya.
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1. Context and relevance
Highly hazardous pesticides harm both the environment and public health. They contaminate soil, water, and air, reducing biodiversity and disrupting entire ecosystems and often lead to pesticide poisoning, especially among farmers and agricultural Workers.
Alternatives exist and can deliver
In recent years, alternatives to pesticide use such as biopesticides and other agroecological approaches have gained momentum. Biopesticides offer significant environmental and health benefits. When produced locally and associated with integrated farm-level practices, they can provide more viable options for farmers—especially smallholders in developing countries. But there are barriers such as limited infrastructure and incentives, non-adapted regulatory rules or insufficient farmer training and market access.
In Geneva, pesticides were central to COPs of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm (BRS) Conventions with Parties negotiating the listings of chemicals, among which pesticides (notably Highly Hazarduous Pesticides - HHPs) make up to 70%.
Promoting alternatives (via integrated pest management, biopesticides and agroecological approaches in general) is key to helping countries move away from the use of harmful pesticides. The good news is that there is growing momentum for these alternatives, notably for biopesticides. During a BRS COPs side event, Biovision and its partners showcased promising policy pathways and concrete examples of safer and more ecological alternatives to pesticides.
2. Actions and recent progress
Key take-aways – BRS side event
The +150 participants to our side event co-organised with UNEP, PAN international, Agroecology Coalition, and CPSP underlined the growing interest and highlighted (1) the efficacy and potential of biopesticides and other agroecological alternatives to synthetic pesticides and (2) the potential of national and local action.
3 inspiring country-examples:
- Sri Lanka, aiming to achieve zero pesticide-related deaths by 2035, has made significant progress in reducing pesticide-related suicides by restricting access to HHPs and implementing a robust control system.
- Specific value chains have already demonstrated the economic viability of agroecological alternatives to chemicals such as Chlorpyrifos. In Ethiopia, the organic cotton sector has flourished over the past decade notably thanks to certification schemes, policy support, and traditional farming knowledge.
- Burkina Faso offers a promising model for involving national and local food system actors in developing common action plans and policy support for alternatives such as biopesticides.
3. Lessons learned and future plans
To conclude our side event, Christine Fuell (Exec. Secretary ad interim of the Rotterdam Convention - FAO) stated with 4 powerful recommendations:
- Show what works: gather and share strong evidence for safer and effective alternatives.
- Clear the path: remove structural and regulatory roadblocks to make local solutions more accessible.
- Power up local actors: invest in national, institutional, and financial capacity by leveraging markets and building strong partnerships and strategic alliances.
- Make policy and science work for change: Shape a supportive policy environment and protect scientific integrity. It's time to shift from a pesticide-centric mindset to a bold integrated food system approach.
Interested in the topic of bioinputs?
Then check-out a recently published policy brief summarizing priority issues and advancing policy recommendations for improving the business environment and catalysing development of the Kenyan organic inputs sector.