Shipping and Handling of Pesticide Cargoes: the Need for Change

Abstract

Of all the dangerous goods carried at sea, pesticide cargoes are unique in the dangers which they pose to the environment. In 1991, the UN International Maritime Goods Code was amended to require that specified chemicals be labelled as ‘marine pollutants’. In addition, packaging must now allow for immersion in seawater and include attempts at salvage. The potential hazards of pesticide cargoes have been illustrated by a number of accidents involving shipping and there is an urgent need to expedite the provisions of the code. Also, many pesticides which are exported are not registered for use in the country of origin. A good case exists for linking the provisions of the code to the registration process and to the ‘prior informed consent’procedure and developing ‘convention’.