by Mr. Desire Ouedraogo

Environmental pollution has in a few decades become one of the major problems shaping the future of modern technological civilization: because of the nature and extent of its impact, chemical pollution of all land and sea environments threatens not only human health but also the sustainability of the whole biosphere (F. Ramade, 1992).

Pesticides occupy top ranking among chemical pollutants, since the use of pesticides has expanded considerably not only in developed countries, but also in developing countries and particularly in Burkina Faso. This use is quite helpful because it has enabled productivity to be increased in agriculture and livestock-raising and it has had some effects on malaria. But these insecticides cause serious pollution problems because of their persistence and toxic residues.

The large-scale use of pesticides has had irreversible consequences both on the environment and on human surroundings. These consequences can be expressed in terms of health (human and animal) through the food chain, the gradual impoverishment of soil, the destruction of certain micro-organisms, the contamination of groundwater and water courses and the loss of plant life. In brief, a whole series of evils whose effects are pernicious and which do not recognize frontiers.

To address these serious problems, the Burkina Faso Government, conscious of what is at stake in this serious damage to the environment, has developed initiatives, to play its part, alongside the rest of the international community, in the preservation of this environment.

It is with this thrust that various actions at a legal and institutional level have been planned to prevent and reduce, even if only partially, the risks involved in the use of pesticides (POPs).

The object in this section is to provide an overview of existing legal instruments and non-statutory mechanisms for the management of pesticides. It also deals with the effective application of the strengths and weaknesses of these laws. A certain number of ministerial departments and many other institutions and organizations are involved under the present heading.

Existing legislation by category of use following the various

(from production/importation to disposal)

In general there are many laws in respect of the management of chemical products, although they do not sufficiently cover the various practical aspects of management (monitoring, disposal, information, etc.)

Gaps exist in the legislative system in respect of the whole range of chemical products, and in regard to many aspects, two of which were quoted above. The effectiveness of the implementation of the various measures is unsatisfactory for several reasons, including:

Of the non-regulatory mechanisms used to reduce the risks associated with chemical products, although some may be positive (decontamination of containers), others are rather ineffective (radio bulletins, warning to importers, incineration in the open air ...). In any case, the shortcomings or the absence of non-regulatory mechanisms are mainly due to ignorance or the lack of understanding of the implications or adverse effects of chemical products on health, the environment, nature etc. ..., and for certain enterprises due to lack of resources for their implementation.

In other words, the management of chemical products at a national level is not a current priority, especially as far as businesses are concerned, in comparison with other greater problems.

The written regulations issued by different Ministries do not agree on the powers and exact role of each partner, which makes collaboration at the time of implementation rather difficult.

The implementation of law No.41/96/ADP of 8 November 1996, on pesticide control, should help to initiate solutions to address certain problems mentioned. It also should be pointed out that the Ministry of Agriculture, in collaboration with the Ministry of Commerce, is working to set up a national commission. Another landmark in respect of institutions is the establishment of the Ministry of Environment and Water. It is responsible for ensuring the quality of the environment, the protection of natural resources, the reduction or elimination of pollution, inconveniences and risks that may be caused to the environment by machinery and large developments, agricultural, commercial or industrial activities and the activities of individuals. It is furthermore responsible for promoting activities to involve people and to give them training and information on the environment, in liaison with concerned public interest groups. It intervenes in the management of chemical products, particularly through the Office for the Prevention of Pollution and, for Sanitation (DPPA), through the implementation of the Environment Code (Law No.002/94/ADP of 19 January 1994). This office has the task of:

In view of the foregoing it may be said that, in Burkina Faso, efforts are being made to deal with the risks posed by chemical products in general and POPs in particular. These efforts may well be somewhat insufficient because of the lack of coordination of activities, the lack of specific scientific knowledge, the lack of human and financial resources, etc. ...

The struggle to achieve an environment free from POPs can be won, provided that there is political will, an exchange of information and scientific knowledge and provided that developing countries are given adequate financial resources, for their economies are mainly dependent on agriculture which they need to protect by the use of insecticides.

THE IDENTIFICATION OF POTENTIAL SOURCES OF DIOXINS

AND FURANS IN COUNTRIES

The following table gives a list of potential sources of dioxins and furans, please identify the activities that may contribute to emissions of dioxins and furans in your country.

Please give complete information on the type of waste and its treatment in your country,