by Ms. S. Barra

The Seychelles is an archipelago consisting of around 115 island, 41 granitic and 74 coralline, located between 4^th and 11^th latitude South of the equator in the Western Indian Ocean. The islands are scattered over an Exclusive Economic Zone of 3.3 million square kilometers. The total land area is about 450 square kilometer. The latest census (1997) produced a population count of 74 thousand inhabitants. The main economic activities in the Seychelles are tourism and fisheries.

Most of the granitic islands are mountainous with very narrow coastal plains. Due to the steep topography of these islands, inland waters quickly flow to the coast carrying with them dissolved and suspended pollutant. This constitutes a high risk to the population which is highly dependent on the coastal area for its food source and "beach tourism" based economy.

The coralline islands are generally flat. Sand dunes mounting up to a height of 32m have been reported (Stroddart, 1970). With limited fresh surface water, the populations of these islands are highly dependent on ground water for farming and human consumption.

The islands of the Seychelles also harbour a large variety of rare and endemic flora and fauna. Major efforts are being made by the government and a few NGOs to conserve these precious natural treasures.

The limited agricultural development is very dependent on agrochemical products including pesticides. Importation of these products is poorly documented, thus making it difficult to accurately access the amount used.

Seychelles is signatory to various international conventions, agreements and other bodies, involved in the control of hazardous substances, (e:g Basel Convention, Marpol Convention, IFCS, PIC)

Environmental issues are mainly handled by the Ministry of Environment and Transport (MET). The "Environment Management Plan of Seychelles" (EMPS) sets the platform for sustainable Environmental management in Seychelles. The Environment Protection Act 1994 provides the legal instrument to implement the activities proposed in the EMPS.

Some environment issues also have direct bearing on public health. The Ministry of Health (MOH) may assume a leading role in the control, monitoring and enforcement of such issues. One such example is the Pesticide Control Act 1996 which falls under the portfolio responsibility of MOH

The Ministries responsible for the environment and public health play the leading role in management of hazardous substances. The Seychelles Bureau of Standards is responsible for the development of standards guidelines and codes of practice. These documents are developed by technical working groups consisting of senior technicians from relevant sectors. Since its creation the Bureau has produced two codes of practice that are directly related to the management of hazardous substances.

• The Environment Protection Act 1994 (EPA 94)

• The Pesticide Control Act 1996 (PCA 96)

1. Opening a package containing, or diluting, mixing or transferring from one container to another, any pesticide other than a household biocide;
2. Spraying any group of crop, trees, bushes or climbing plants with any pesticide, other than a household biocide;
3. Washing or cleaning any spraying apparatus that has been used for spraying a pesticide other than a household biocide;
4. Spraying, fogging or applying a pesticide, other than a household biocide, in a building;
5. Any single operation specified in paragraphs (I) to (IV) where a household biocide in excess of 250 Grammes or one litre is being used or dealt with.

• Code of Practice for Handling, Storage and Disposal of Hazardous Chemicals Other Than Agricultural Pesticides

• Code of Practice for Handling and Disposal of Hazardous and Radioactive Waste

The codes of practice developed by the Bureau are often not mandatory. Other regulatory instruments may be used to give them legal status.

• Custom offices are often not adequately trained to identify POPs and other environmentally hazardous substances. These officers should be trained to perform this function more efficiently.

• The Interminsterial Pesticide Board is a stepping stone towards better distribution of information between governmental bodies involve with issues related to pesticide. However, we still lack an established network to relay information between the relevant institutions or an established location where information related to pesticide and other hazardous substances can be obtained.

• Categories used for compiling statistical data do not facilitate inventory of POPs and other hazardous substances. Commercial importation and exportations are recorded by the Management and Information Systems Division. The items involved in these transactions are classified using a Harmonised Internationally Standard Trade Classification (ISTC). POPs and other substances that are internationally or nationally considered hazardous are not amongst the categories listed in the ISTC. There is a need to review the international trade recording system to address this issue.

• Despite the available legislative tools, very little enforcement seems to take place. No-one has ever been charged with any offence related to mishandling of hazardous substances. The observed lack of enforcement can be mainly attributed to one of the following factors;

• The public awareness with respect to issues which have acute environmental and public health consequences is quite advanced in the Seychelles. However when it comes to POPs and other substances which have chronic impacts (usually not immediately apparent) the level of awareness amongst the general public is very poor. As a result, many cases of chemical mishandling are not reported.

• The officers involved in enforcing these regulations are not formally trained to investigate such offences.

• The high cost of analysis required to obtain legally acceptable evidence.

• There is a need for a national inventory of hazardous chemical. This will be the first step towards the establishment of a National Chemical Management Plan. Such exercise is hindered by our limited manpower resources.