Development of biopesticide registration and risk assessment guidelines for Ghana

Andy Cherry

Development of biopesticide registration and risk assessment guidelines for Ghana

2006

Andy Cherry

In a collaborative effort between the Ghanaian Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the consultancy organisation JSC International, and the Natural Resources Institute (NRI) the project successfully prepared guidelines for applicants wishing to register microbial and biochemical biopesticides in Ghana. With the approval of EPA staff, the project drew particularly on outputs of the highly successful CPP-funded Kenyan biopesticide workshop held at Lake Nakuru, Kenya in May 2003. In addition to drafting guidelines, training was provided in biopesticide risk assessment and data evaluation to members of the EPA's Chemical Control Management Centre (CCMC), the Pesticide Technical Committee (PTC) and its sub-committees. Training gave staff an understanding of the specific, yet often qualitative issues involved in registering biopesticides, compared with traditional synthetic pesticides. Through its research programmes, DFID has demonstrated a commitment to the development of environmentally friendly crop protection. Preparation of these guidelines addresses one of the recognised constraints to development of biopesticides highlighted in the recent CPP-funded project R7960 (ZA 0462). While the project specifically targeted the Ghanaian EPA, observers from the neighbouring countries Guinea, Benin, Ivory Coast and Togo also took part in the project to widen its potential impact.

اظهر المزيد [+]