Pesticide use in cocoa

Pesticide Use in Cocoa
A Guide for Training, Administrative and Research Staff

by Roy Bateman PhD (ICCO & Cocoa Industry Consultant) 1st Edition

A Guide to Pesticide Use in Cocoa
Foreword Recent changes to legislation in the European Union (EU) and Japan have concentrated minds over crop protection practices in cocoa and other commodity crops. From the 1st September 2008, assessment ofthe quality of cocoa imported into the EU will include measurement of traces of substances that have been used upstream in the supply chain, including pesticides used on farms or in storage. The crop protection activities of farmers and middlemen will therefore be of great concern to all in the cocoa trade, some of whom may have a limited working knowledge of pesticide science. Pesticides have apoor public image and are known to present dangers to both people and the environment. Nevertheless cocoa, like other tropical crops, is often ravaged by insects, diseases and other pests that must be controlled effectively as well as safely. Pesticides can provide useful control solutions, but must be approved for use on the basis of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP). Unfortunately up-to-date GAPhas yet to be established in many cocoa growing areas. This manual is designed to 1. Summarise important underlying administrative (Section A) and technical issues with pesticides. Sections B and C will be of particular interest to research and extension staff seeking more background information on pesticide science. 2. Help define a “road map” for establishing good crop pest control, storage anddistribution practices for bulk cocoa: for the assistance of trainers of trainers and research staff. Those interested in GAP for the field crop may wish to turn directly to Section D, and storage issues are examined in Section E. Finally, a few recommendations are made in Section F, with various terms and lists of key pesticides included in the Appendices. My approach has been: • a concise butbrief overview of the technical issues leading on to “problem and possible solution” sections • practicality (focusing on techniques/improvements for cocoa growers and traders) • specific reference to compounds that are, or may be, used on cocoa • emphasis on product selection and application by smallholders • linkages to web-based and other resources - for example, pesticide lists that are only ofvalue if they are regularly updated. The last point is important. Only by regular interaction between farmers, researchers, extension workers, suppliers, buyers and administrators can the issues confronting the cocoa trade be overcome. Unfortunately, there has at times been confusion about pesticide issues which has led to misuse, safety concerns (or inappropriate lack of concern), poor cropprotection and other difficulties. Terms such as “pesticide”, “toxic residue”, “organic”, “environmental impact”, “integrated” and many others are often used in connection with pest management, but these have at times been used loosely, resulting in much misunderstanding. A booklet such as this can only provide an introduction to the issues, but references are made to further sources of information,should this be required. I welcome all comments and suggestions, for future versions of this “dynamic document” and hope you find it useful.
RPB, IPARC, 9th June 2008

Pesticide Use in Cocoa (v. 09/06/2008)

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CONTENTS A. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................... 3
A1 The need to understand and addresspesticide issues in cocoa ......................................................................3 A2 Issues with chemical control:..........................................................................................................................5 A3 The importance of pesticide registration and regulation................................................................................6 A4 Newer...