Organization and targets of the prior informed consent notification scheme. Part II. Field operation.

The problems associated with the misuse of pesticides are numerous and have been well documented. These are mainly the result of lack of regulations on: a) the introduction and use of pesticides; b) inadequate training of regulators, distributors and users; c) shortage of appropriate information on the nature and impact of pesticide use; and d) inadequate facilities for enforcement of control measures. To address these issues, including the issue of the export of pesticides which have been banned or severely restricted in industrial countries, the International code of conduct on the distribution and use of pesticides was adopted in 1983 by the FAO Conference and amended in 1985 to incorporate provisions for prior informed consent (PIC) procedures. Field activities on the code of conduct and on PIC are described.