Initiatives and Actions on the Elimination of Obsolete Pesticides Risks/Hazards in the Republic of Moldova

Abstract

In spite of the fact that Moldova has never produced pesticides, including persistent organic pollutants (POPs), over 50 years of overuse of pesticides left a damaging legacy. At present, the Republic of Moldova has an estimated 7,245 ton of obsolete pesticides and dangerous chemicals, which remain scattered in 22 central warehouses and 4,000 ton that are buried in the dump pesticides site in the southern part of the country. Among the pesticides that have been used in Moldova in the past are organo-chlorinated pesticides listed in the Persistent Organic Pollutants Convention of Stockholm; these are thought to pose the highest health and environmental risks due to their toxicity, persistence and bioaccumulation potential. The Government of the Republic of Moldova acknowledged that elimination of obsolete pesticides (included POPs) would serve the long-term interests of public health, environment, and economic development of the country. Since 2001, after signing the Stockholm Convention, it was defined as a separate field of actions, which became a priority one among the main environmental issues of the country. In dealing with POPs, the country followed a process that includes developing a clear understanding of the situation, setting priorities and establishing realistic objectives for actions. Preparation of the Moldova National Implementation Plan for the Stockholm Convention followed such a process utilizing a participatory approach whereby all interested partners in society (national and local government, economy, science, energy, agriculture, education, NGOs) had an active role in the decision-making and assumed their full share of responsibility for the National Implementing Plan.