Environmental policy28.05.2024
Environmental challenges of agriculture in Kazakhstan: Management of Pesticides and Persistent Organic Pollutants
Lobuntsova Yuliya, Director of the Waste and Chemical safety Department, PF “The Center “Cooperation for Sustainable Development”
Zavyalova Irina, Waste management specialist, PF “The Center “Cooperation for Sustainable Development”
The management of pesticides, including those containing persistent organic pollutants, remains one of the serious environmental problems in Kazakhstan. Obsolete pesticides remained from the Soviet Union are usually stored in inappropriate conditions in warehouses near farms, in the open air.
In addition, the number of obsolete pesticides are regularly replenished with pesticides currently in use, as a result of their expiration date, as well as violations of the requirements for their handling. At the same time, obsolete pesticides and their impact on the environment can create serious problems in agriculture and require the implementation of risk management strategies and compliance with environmental norms and standards.
WHAT ARE PESTICIDES?
Pesticides are toxic chemicals that are used in agriculture to control pests and plant diseases, as well as various parasites and carriers of is it "dangerous" or "dangerous", seemed like an extra space animal diseases. Pesticides are divided into several main groups. The most common ones include: herbicides - for destruction of weeds, insecticides - to destroy insect pests, fungicides - to combat pathogenic fungi, zoocides - against rodents.
Obsolete pesticides mean pesticides that have lost their effectiveness or safety due to expiration date, improper storage, improper use or prohibition of use in accordance with legal regulations.
Some types of pesticides belong to persistent organic pollutants (hereinafter- POPs), a group of chemicals that move everywhere in the environment and remain harmful to the environment and the health of living beings for a long time. POPs are regulated by the Stockholm Convention, which aims to protect health and the environment from the negative effects of POPs. Currently, the Convention includes 30 POPs that are prohibited for sale and use. However, the list is regularly updated and supplemented. Of these, 19 chemicals are pesticides.
WHAT IMPACT DO PESTICIDES AND POPS HAVE ON HUMAN HEALTH AND THE ENVIRONMENT?
The impact of pesticides, especially those containing POPs, on ecosystems and biodiversity is extremely negative. Accumulating in soil, water and air, they cause pollution of natural environments and destruction of ecosystems. Toxic components can poison plants, animals and microorganisms, disrupting their vital functions and leading to a reduction in biodiversity. Moreover, these substances can pass from one organism to another through food chains, which entails cascading effects and threatens the stability of ecosystems.
Even in small doses, POPs can disrupt normal biological functions, pass on to subsequent generations and pose a real threat to human health and the environment. Toxic substances cause a variety of diseases and pathologies in humans. The effects of POPs and pesticides on human health are devastating and highlight the need to take measures to protect society from their negative impacts. One of the important aspects of the negative impact of pesticides on the environment is increase in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in agriculture. The use of pesticides often occurs using agricultural machinery and production processes that consume large amounts of energy and as a result cause greenhouse gas emissions, including CO2.
IS THERE A RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE USE OF PESTICIDES IN AGRICULTURE AND CO2 EMISSIONS?
The use of pesticides, including those containing persistent organic pollutants, in agriculture can lead to adverse consequences, one of which is an increase in CO2 emissions into the environment. If pesticides are used in large quantities, they can be leached into the soil and enter water resources. This leads to contamination of soil and water, as well as deterioration of its quality. As a result of decomposition processes of pollutants in the soil, additional amounts of CO2 can be released.
In addition, under the influence of improper use of pesticides, the soil may lose its fertile properties due to the destruction of its microbiological composition or loss of organic matter. This leads to a decrease in the soil's ability to retain carbon, and contributes to an increase in CO2 emissions into the atmosphere.
WHAT IS THE SITUATION WITH OBSOLETE PESTICIDES AND POPS IN THE REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN?
According to the National Plan for Fulfilling the Obligations of the Republic of Kazakhstan under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants for2017-2028, as a result of the preliminary inventory of pesticides in 2003, 727 warehouses and 15 burial grounds were discovered throughout the country. 105 tons of obsolete pesticides and toxic chemicals, including POPs-containing pesticides, were found in these warehouses and burial grounds:
• 24 tons of DDT at Antiplague Station in Atyrau region;
• 15 tons of toxaphene in Akkai area of North Kazakhstan region;
• 0.5 tons of DDT near Zhangiz-Tobe settlements in the East Kazakhstan Region.
In 2014, the total stocks of obsolete pesticides were estimated at 1 617.63 tons and more than 169 660 containers of pesticides. The largest number of obsolete pesticides was concentrated in Akmola, Kostanay, and East Kazakhstan Regions. In Aktobe, Almaty, Zhambyl, West Kazakhstan, Karaganda,Atyrau, Kyzylorda, Mangystau, North Kazakhstan regions, according to the 2014 inventory, obsolete pesticides were not found.
Currently, with the support of FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations), a national inventory of obsolete pesticides and an environmental assessment of contaminated areas is being conducted in Kazakhstan within the framework of FAO/GEF project should be “Lifecycle Management of Pesticides and Disposal of POPs Pesticides in Central Asian countries and Turkiye”. The updated data of the national inventory will be submitted to the state authorities after completion of all stages of research.
HOW IS THE HANDLING OF PESTICIDES, INCLUDING THOSE CONTAINING POPS, REGULATED IN THE NATIONAL LEGISLATION OF THE REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN?
The legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan regulates the management of POPs and pesticides at various stages of their life cycle, including production, import, export, storage, transportation, use and disposal. The main regulatory documents regulating the handling of pesticides and POPs are:
• Environmental Code No. 400-VI LRK dated January 2,2021;
• Law "On Plant Protection" dated July 3,2002 No. 331;
• Rules for management of POPs and waste containing them dated November24,2022 No. 717;
• Technical Regulation on safety of plant protection products (pesticides) dated June 27, 2023 No. 249;
• Rules for neutralization of pesticides, as well as conditions for maintenance of special storages (burial grounds) in proper condition (Order of the Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated September 29, 2015 No. 15-05/864).
The primary legislative measure is a ban on the production and import of products that form POPs waste. Production of pesticides is allowed only with a license, and also involves the introduction of control system for technological processes and nature of emissions into the environment.
It is important to note that the import of pesticides to the Republic of Kazakhstan requires a license for sale and import, which ensures control over their use.
At the stage of implementation, pesticides must undergo state registration and can only be used after obtaining the appropriate license. The release of pesticides to consumers should be allowed only in special containers with mandatory information on safe use and disposal.
The storage of hazardous substances also requires compliance with strict rules and safety measures, including separate storage according to the properties of substances and the use of specialized storage facilities.
The use of hazardous substances should be regulated and controlled to minimize the risk of their negative impact on human health and the environment.
Detoxication of pesticides is an important step in the management of pesticides. The disposal of pesticides and their containers is carried out at the expense of the owner of pesticides.
In accordance with the legislation, methods of detoxication of pesticide are developed by manufacturers and are examined and included in the documentation for I think "products" will be better here. Because drugs usually mean medications, including safety data sheets, a protective label and recommendations for use for consumers. The burial of pesticides and their containers is not allowed, the processes of detoxication of pesticide should not harm the environment.
Companies licensed to carry out detoxication of pesticides are required to provide centralized collection and transportation of pesticides to warehouses with appropriate storage conditions, excluding access by unauthorized persons. Pesticides with compromised packaging integrity must be repackaged in containers that meet the requirements of regulatory documents.
With regard to destruction of pesticides containing POPs, legislation prohibits the disposal of such waste. In addition, it is prohibited to use technologies for destruction of persistent organic pollutants and chlorine- containing waste without comprehensive treatment of waste gases, which should ensure the content of dioxins and furans in purified waste gases in concentrations not exceeding 0.l nanogram per cubic meter.
WHAT IS CURRENTLY BEING DONE TO IMPROVE THE MANAGEMENT OF OBSOLETE PESTICIDES, INCLUDING THOSE CONTAINING POPS?
Various efforts are being made by stakeholders to improve the situation in this area.
Within the framework of FAO/GEF project “Lifecycle Management of Pesticides and Disposal of POPs
Pesticides in Central Asian countries and Turkiye”, it is planned to destroy up to 9OO tons of POPs and obsolete pesticides. In addition, it is planned to carry out the reclamation of some areas contaminated with pesticides.
The project also works on development of legislative recommendations aimed at improving the regulation of the product life cycle, as well as improving institutional interaction and ensuring the safe disposal of obsolete pesticides, including POPs.
In order to effectively coordinate the actions and should be Public Fund «The Center “Cooperation for Sustainable Development”» the support of FAO, created "National Network on Chemical Safety, POPs and Obsolete Pesticides ToxicNet". The purpose of this Network is to strengthen cooperation and enhance the capacity of local communities and other stakeholders in the field of risks associated with obsolete pesticides. Additionally, fora purpose of quick response in case of detection of obsolete pesticide storage sites, landfills and contaminated sites, a "hotline" was created, accessible to residents of Kazakhstan.
WHAT APPROACHES CAN BE APPLIED TO REDUCE THE NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF PESTICIDES AND REDUCE CO2 EMISSIONS IN AGRICULTURE?
In order to reduce the negative effects of pesticides and reduce CO2 emissions in agriculture, it is necessary to introduce organic farming practices, including integrated pest control methods. This includes the use of biological plant protection products, chemical-free pest management methods and support for biodiversity.
The implementation of these and other measures will reduce the amount of pesticides used and prevent their negative impact on the environment. At the same time, these measures will contribute to reducing CO2 emissions in agriculture, which is an important step towards more sustainable and environmentally friendly agriculture.
In general, the problem of obsolete pesticides and POPs poses a serious threat to the environment and human health. The need for action by the State and the public is becoming increasingly urgent. National efforts to inventory obsolete pesticides and assess contaminated areas, supported by international organizations, are an important step in addressing this problem. However, in order to effectively solve this problem, it is necessary to strengthen control over the production, use and disposal of pesticides, as well as the development of organic farming practices. It is also important to raise public awareness about the hazard of pesticides, as well as ways to handle them safely. Only through the joint efforts of the state, business, scientific and public organizations can the dangerous effects of chemicals on the environment and climate change be reduced.
Kazakhstan secures nearly $3.7 billion in green energy investments at COP29
Pay up or humanity will pay the price’, Guterres warns at COP29 climate summit
Masdar reaches major milestone in development of Kazakhstan’s 1GW wind farm
Winning companies announced in Kazakhstan's auction for large HPPs
‘Nobody can take solar or wind hostage’: IEA chief on creating a secure energy supply
Auction: 10 companies to build 200 mw hydropower plants in Kazakhstan
Ainur Sospanova: development of renewable energy in Central Asia is a real necessity
Saudi Arabia to increase renewable energy capacity
“Energy China” starts cooperation with Turkmenistan in the field of green energy
UNEP report: Huge uplift needed on climate adaptation, starting with finance
Scientists unveil paper-based wearable device that creates electricity from air
Development of green aviation in Central Asia discussed in Kazakhstan
Concentrated solar power, a much cheaper solution than batteries for energy storage
EEC and the UAE Ministry of Energy agreed on co-operation in energy saving and green technologies
Kazakhstan’s Energy Minister proposes establishing an international fusion laboratory in the country
Solar brick based on perovskite, textile ceramic technology
Global investment in solar power could reach $500bn by the end of the year
ADB to finance wind potential assessment for renewable energy dev't in Turkmenistan
Schoolboy from Abai region develops device for efficient solar energy use
Sweden plans full shift to renewable electricity by 2040