Analysis of pesticide management in CPAC member countries (Central Africa)

As part of the mission “Analysis of pesticide management in the member countries of CPAC (Comité inter-états des pesticides de l’Afrique centrale, Inter-State Pesticides Committee of Central Africa), a virtual feedback workshop was organised on Thursday 3 June in the presence of representatives of the six member countries (Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and Republic of the Congo).

This mission, which began in February 2021, is part of a support programme by CPAC to assist member countries to implement harmonised and updated phytosanitary measures. This will enable them to protect themselves against risks linked to poor pesticide management. A list of 40 recommendations was drawn up for seven areas of activity:

• implementation of a phytosanitary policy in a context of sustainable development
• establishment of a community registration system in which the sub-regional pesticide registration commission have a crucial role to play
• updating of regulations and adoption of codes of good conduct for the pesticide trade
• effective management of official controls and inspections by the Competent Authorities
• creation of laboratories
• respect of good practices in the field
• efficient management of the problem of stocks of obsolete products and other hazardous waste.

Given the divergence of shortcomings related to pesticide management in the six countries of the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC), it was proposed that each country should draw up its own action plan in consultation with CPAC, identifying the relevant recommendations adapted to the country from the list of 40 recommendations made.

Intensifying sustainability is at the heart of COLEACP’s programmes. It increases productivity while making a positive contribution to climate, ecosystems and the environment. In particular, we promote integrated pest management (IPM) and help producers control pests while minimising negative impacts on humans and the environment. Where plant protection products (PPPs) are an important part of an IPM system, COLEACP ensures that growers have access to appropriate, least harmful products and that they can use them safely.

CPAC is a Specialised Institution (SI) of the Economic Union of Central Africa (UEAC) with its headquarters in Yaoundé (Cameroon). Its mission is to coordinate the concerted management of pesticides in the CEMAC area by promoting the improvement and harmonisation of legislative, regulatory and infrastructural frameworks in order to increase the sustainability and competitiveness of agricultural production.

This activity is supported by the Fit For Market SPS programme, implemented by COLEACP within the Framework of Development Cooperation between the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) and the European Union.