Dubai: The Ministry of Environment and Water has updated a list of 359 types of banned and controlled pesticides as per the EU and UN policies for sustainable use of pesticides.
The update comes in line with a ministerial decision issued by Dr Rashid Ahmad Bin Fahd, Minister of Environment and Water.
The resolution classifies pesticides depending on their degree of use and health hazards and risks they pose to both human and animal health and their impact on the environment.
The pesticides are divided into three groups — banned pesticides, controlled pesticides and the third group which includes two strictly controlled pesticides.
The resolution spells out regulations of use, circulation, transportation, registration and import of these chemical substances.
Engineer Othaiba Al Qaydi, Director of the ministry’s Chemicals and Hazardous Waste Department, said the ministry is always keen to develop and update environment- related legislation and rules through the registration, circulation and use of pesticides in cooperation with relevant local authorities.
The move aims to maintain control on the circulation of pesticides and rationalise their use in line with the ministry’s strategic plan dedicated to management and ensure tight control over the use of pesticdes to enhance environmental sustainability in line with the UAE Vision 2021.
As per the resolution, registered companies and organisations must comply with the specified annual quantity and the pesticides must be used as determined by the ministry. They are also required to provide quarterly reports to indicate pesticide trade figures. As for the strictly restricted pesticides, the registered companies and organisations are required to provide copies of their contracts with agencies and a statement of how these will be used.
The ministry annually updates the list of banned and controlled pesticides in compliance with the provisions of international conventions on pesticides and standards set by EU and international organisations. To ensure the quality of pesticides used in the state, the ministry carefully evaluates and analyses imported pesticides before releasing them to the market.
