Status report on sugar cane agrochemicals management: agrochemicals in the sugarcane industries: health and environmental challenges and solutions

The progress in agricultural yields resulting from the introduction of agricultural chemicals has not come without cost for human health and the environment. While the pesticide requirements of sugarcane crop are relatively modest compared to other similar cash crops, agrochemicals continue to generate harmful impacts especially in the major sugarcane producing developing countries. Institutional weaknesses as well as the lack of financial and human resources often prevent e ective chemicals regulation and the implementation of good pesticide application practices. This document reviews some of the key problems and challenges associated with agrochemical use in sugarcane production, and examines possible solutions. The report focuses on the negative impacts of inappropriate agrochemical use, and therefore addresses neither the many positive impacts of pesticide use, nor the other potential social and environmental problems associated with sugarcane cultivation. Apart from the intergovernmental treaties in the area of chemicals regulation in general (e.g. the Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions) many international initiatives specific to sugarcane seek to foster better use of agrochemicals and alternative management practices such as Integrated Pest Management and organic farming. Such initiatives include multistakeholder e orts to promote better production practices (e.g. Better Sugarcane Initiative, Roundtable of Sustainable Biofuels), international codes of practice, and sustainability certification schemes. The governments and chemicals industry in the developed world should redouble their e orts to provide technical assistance and capacity building to developing countries in the areas of chemicals regulation, including implementation and enforcement. As part of their corporate social responsibility, the chemicals companies should collaborate with governments, pesticide users and farmers in fostering the adoption of alternative pest management practices, providing training and information to chemical users, and implementing adequate risk assessment and chemicals regulation procedures