Cheminova on course to phase out Class I products

Cheminova is on course with its plan to phase out extremely hazardous and highly hazardous WHO Class I pesticides by the end of 2010. It had completed 13 pesticide registration phase-outs by the end of 2009. The company submitted its plan to the UN FAO towards the beginning of 2007 to phase out certain, “highly toxic” active ingredients in developing countries by end-2010.

It has phased out: the organophosphate insecticide, Monocrotophos SL, in India and Colombia; the organophosphate insecticide, Phorate G, in India; the organophosphate insecticide, Methamidophos EC, in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and Mexico; the organophosphate insecticide, Methyl Parathion EC, in Colombia, Cuba, Mexico and Taiwan; the carbamate insecticide, Carbofuran SC, in Colombia; and the carbamate insecticide, Methomyl SP, in Mexico. It is in the process of phasing out in 2010: the organophosphate insecticides, DDVP (dichlorvos) EC and Methyl Parathion EC, in India and Brazil, respectively.

Cheminova is converting its monocrotophos plant in India for the production of a fungicide that is to be marketed globally. In Brazil, it plans to replace the use of parathion-methyl for the control of cotton boll weevils (Anthonomus grandis) with malathion. The company says that by introducing several new products, it has been able to carry out its phase-out plan in a sustainable manner, both for farmers by providing them with less toxic alternatives, and for itself by being able to maintain its position in the market.

In December, Cheminova signed the UN’s Global Compact, which in the coming years will form the basis of its efforts in the areas of human rights, labour, the environment and corruption.