ASP-Project 1 Countries: Issue Brief

Following 5 years of planning, the Africa Stockpiles Programme (ASP) is now operational, achieving final approval of Project 1 (ASP-P1) by the FAO (July 2005), Global Environment Facility (August 2005), and the World Bank Board of Directors (September 2005). ASP-P1 will run from August 2005 – July 2009 and will focus on 7 countries: Ethiopia (1), Mali (2), Morocco (3), Nigeria (4), South Africa (5), Tanzania (6) and Tunisia (7), and is estimated to cost US $60 million. The programme will be carried out with donations from several donors and stakeholders.

ASP is a multi-stakeholder programme which aims at cleaning up obsolete pesticide stockpiles in Africa, preventing future toxic threats from such stockpiles, and protecting human health and the environment. It expects to do this by providing training and capacity building to governments and establishing a strong public-private NGO partnership to implement. The ASP is a 10-15 year programme that will be implemented in a series of projects. It is estimated that 50,000 tonnes of obsolete pesticide stockpiles exist on the continent, at a total clean-up and prevention cost of US $250 million.

Ethiopia

• Country Profile: In 1994 the FAO and UN established a pesticide removal program in Ethiopia where 1,575 tonnes of obsolete pesticides were incinerated and 1,511 tonnes of obsolete pesticides were successfully repacked from 2000 to 2003. A total of 243 sites were cleared. It is estimated that Ethiopia’s annual import of pesticides is 4000 tonnes, valued at approximately US$21 million (1983-1993), and 1,800 tonnes at US$8 million (1994-2002).
• ASP-P1 Activities: ASP-P1 is supporting the near completion of a project aimed at the removal of 1,100 tonnes of obsolete pesticides, contaminated soils, and equipment. In addition to removing pesticides, ASP-P1 aims to produce a soil decontamination plan, undertake pilot cleanup of soils at heavily contaminated sites, and recycle pesticide containers. ASP-P1 plans to: review and strengthen pesticide legislation and management in Ethiopia; develop and implement an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategy through pilot projects; and develop and implement an awareness raising and educational program for relevant stakeholders. The cost for completion of ASP-P1 activities in Ethiopia is an estimated US$8.49 million.

Mali

• Country Profile: ASP1 estimates that there are approximately 400 tonnes of obsolete pesticides within 76 sites throughout Mali. A significant number of the pesticide stocks exist as a means to control locusts and cotton pests. Mali has possibly the most critical toxic problem in Africa due to a massive spill of Dieldrin in the desert resulting in contamination of scarce potable water sources and soils at multiple remote sites.
• ASP-P1 Activities: The programme aims to conduct a detailed inventory as well as formulate and execute a pesticide disposal strategy. ASP-P1 plans to improve regulations and strengthen enforcement capacity; promote safer pest management methodologies; improve pesticide management methods; and raise awareness on health and environmental hazards of pesticides. ASP-P1 intends to remediate contaminated sites via clean-up and disposal, decontamination of highly contaminated soils, prevention of accumulation, capacity building, and project management and monitoring. The cost for completion of ASP-P1 activities in Mali is an estimated US$8.73 million.

Morocco

• Country Profile: ASP-P1 estimates there are 700 tonnes of obsolete pesticides at 225 sites throughout Morocco, accumulated, in a significant part, as a means to control the locust population.
• ASP-P1 Activities: The programme intends to prevent future stockpiling in Morocco by strengthening the regulatory, legal and management framework for pesticide management; undertaking a public communications campaign disseminating information on pesticide risks; and refurbishing pesticide storage facilities. Furthermore, ASP-P1 aims to build capacity in Morocco, undertaking a risk assessment on soil contamination, strengthening the capacity of the Centre Antipoison du Maroc, and implementing a training program. The ASP will be managed and monitored via the project management unit (PMU) at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, and the National Monitoring Committee. The cost for completion of ASP-P1 activities in Morocco is an estimated US$4.46 million.

Nigeria

• Country Profile: A survey conducted by the National Chemicals Management and Control Committee (NCMCC), funded by the Agrochemical Association of Nigeria (AAN), to catalog stockpiles in Nigeria from 1997-200 illuminated the issue of stockpiles in Nigeria. Although the number of sites and tonnage remains to be confirmed, ASP-P1 estimates the amount of pesticides is an estimated 500 tonnes. The institutional framework to address the stockpiles in Nigeria is diffuse which accounts for not only uncertainty regarding the size of stockpiles, but also their location, illicit cross border trading, and lack of consumer awareness and a poor regulatory system.
• ASP-P1 Activities: ASP-P1 aims to undertake a detailed pesticide inventory; produce a Country project-specific Environment and Social Assessment (CESA) including an Environmental Management Plan (EMP), and provide basic emergency containment of obsolete pesticide stocks where critical. Prevention of future build-up and pollution will be managed through awareness raising of ASP-P1 and IPM, focusing on vulnerable groups; supporting the reform of the legal and regulatory framework for improved pesticide management; and piloting new pest protection strategies. ASP-P1 wants to strengthen Nigeria’s capacity by undertaking an assessment of laboratory capability for pesticide related analysis; strengthen Government of Nigeria’s capacity to manage the project; and train retailers and civil society in pesticide management/use. The cost for completion of ASP-P1 activities for Nigeria is an estimated US$2.67 million.

South Africa

• Country Profile: There is an estimated 250 tonnes of obsolete stocks in South Africa, although the number of sites remains to be confirmed. About 1,000 tonnes of obsolete pesticides were disposed of following a 1994 effort by the National Department of Agriculture. In 2000, a Denmark-funded follow-up survey recorded an additional 250 tonnes of obsolete pesticide stocks for clean-up and removal.
• ASP-P1 Activities: ASP-P1 aims to support the cleanup and disposal of up to 250 tonnes of obsolete pesticide stocks, implementing measures to prevent future accumulation. Activities will include a detailed pesticide inventory, producing a CESA and EMP, undertaking a technological assessment of disposal options, and preparing an IPM strategy and initiating 4 pilot projects. In past years there has been a lack of involvement by NGO’s and farmers in the clean-up process, but following ASP awareness raising activities, a number of NGO’s have taken the lead to try and build links with other NGOs/CSOs at a national level, aided by increased press and radio coverage of the initiative. Currently, NGO’s are carrying out capacity building activities and working with government on inventory methodologies. There is an ongoing debate regarding the possible use of cement kilns for destruction of hazardous wastes. The cost for completion of ASP-P1 activities in South Africa is an estimated US$1.8 million.

Tanzania

• Country Profile: A pesticide inventory conducted in the late 1990’s yielded results which estimated that 1,000 tonnes of pesticide exist in the country. During such time a cleanup and remediation operation was designed however has yet to be implemented. The stockpiles are dispersed throughout 300 stores across Tanzania. Seven NGOs/CSOs were nominated to form the Steering Committee (SC) to steer the process of ASP in Tanzania. One NGO reports, out of the 1,000 tonnes of obsolete stocks, 30% are POPs pesticides, scattered over more than 300 stores, and are in a deplorable state.
• ASP-P1 Activities: As ASP-P1 plans to update inventories, implement the prepared cleanup operation, put in place preventative measures, and review and revise pesticide laws and regulations - the training & repackaging of obsolete pesticide stocks has already been initiated (September 2003). It is planned that capacity building efforts will enable NGOs/CSOs to be more effective, reviewing country pesticide management practices and providing training to address weaknesses. The cost for completion of ASP-P1 activities for Tanzania is an estimated US$7.06 million.

Tunisia

• Country Profile: A preliminary survey, in preparation of ASP, identified large quantities of obsolete stocks at a large number of containment sites. There is an estimated 1,200 tonnes of obsolete pesticides at 128 sites (pooled into 17 sites). ASP will complete detailed stock inventories; produce a CESA including an EMP; prepare a soil decontamination plan; and dispose of obsolete pesticides including contaminated containers.
• ASP-P1 Activities: ASP-P1 was officially launched in Tunisia in November 2005. The programme aims to strengthen existing regulatory systems for pesticide control; promote ongoing IPM efforts, particularly with small scale farmers; promote certified organic agricultural production; develop a communication campaign to raise awareness about pesticide impact and opportunities created by IPM; and upgrade storage facilities. In order to raise Tunisia’s capacity for controlling obsolete pesticide stocks, ASP-P1 plans to undertake a risk assessment study on soil contamination; assess laboratory capacity; and implement a training program. The cost for completion of ASP-P1 activities for Tunisia is an estimated US$5.16 million.

Last revised: January 2006