Peru bans agrochemicals with active ingredient ‘dicofol’

By Leonardo Gottems, Reporter for AgroPages

The Peruvian Ministry of Agrarian Development and Irrigation (MIDAGRI) has prohibited the registration, importation, local formulation, distribution, marketing and use of commercial formulations of pesticides that contain the active ingredient, dicofol.

The ban was established through Directive Resolution 0021-2021 of the National Agrarian Health Service (SENASA), published on 15th April, 2021, in the official newspaper, El Peruano.

Dicofol is a chlorinated pesticide considered a Persistent Organic Pollutant (POPs) by the Stockholm Convention. It is chemically related to other prohibited pesticides and is used in other countries to control mites in various cultures.

“It is highly persistent in the environment, moderately toxic to mammals and extremely toxic to fish, crustaceans, mollusks and algae. It is also bio-accumulative, because it accumulates in human adipose tissues and can travel long distances by air and water,” stated the Peruvian Government.

“Our country signed the Stockholm Convention in 2001 and ratified it in 2005. Therefore, to date, no commercial formulation with the active ingredient, dicofol, is registered in Peru and there are no applications for registration of pesticides. However, the decision to ban it was taken preventively, considering that this type of petition can be submitted at any time, for which corresponding measures must be adopted in a timely manner to safeguard health and the environment,” added the official communication from Peru.

As a responsible alternative to environmental and integrated pest management, SENASA encourages the use of biological control and the development of “Good Agricultural Practices” (BPA) in terms of major crops. The objective, according to SENASA, is to avoid the indiscriminate use of agrochemicals and, therefore, reduce levels of toxic residue in food.

“SENASA’s professionals and specialists in agricultural health and food safety train professionals, technicians and farmers in biological control, so their knowledge can be passed on to their families and benefit the environment. In addition to training, inspection sessions are held in accredited establishments,” the Peruvian Government said in conclusion.