AWHHE round-table “For a Toxic Free Future” in Yerevan
obsolete pesticide dumps and dangerous use of pesticides in Armenia
19.02.2005 |Annemarie Mohr
Pesticides being measured by hand in a village shop in Hianist, Armenia
A round-table on the issue the chemicals in our life took place on 27 November, 2004 in the Yerevan city hall. Among the 21 participants of this event, were NGOs, local and national officials from Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Health and local authorities. The 'Toolkit - for a toxic free future" was distributed to all participants. The round-table organisation and all materials were financially supported by the EU Commission DG Environment via WECF (Women of Europe for a Common Future) .
The discussion looked at the alarming situation regarding the release of toxic pollutants into the soil, water and atmosphere, which poses a serious threat to the environment and human health.
- Sos Oganesyan from the Ministry of Health mentioned that one of the main problems in Armenia is uncontrolled usage of pesticides that causes serious problems for community.
- Garnik Petrosyan from the Ministry of Agriculture mentioned that expired or even banned pesticides can be sold from the stores that do not correspond to the minimal sanitary requirements. Thus Ministry of Agriculture raised the question about licensing of pesticides stores.
- Elena Manvelyan, the Head of NGO, emphasized that it is necessary to hold to the integrated farming policy. But taking into consideration impossibility to move towards organic farming at once, appropriate government policy for the introduction of some elements of organic farming in national agriculture is necessary.
- Kristina Khachatryan, the journalist, suggested paying more attention to pesticide usage in agriculture in mass media.
