Technical Seminar Best European and Catalan Practices in Reducing Pesticide
and other Chemical Pollutants,
15-16 November 2004, Barcelona, Catalunya

Plenary session 1 - Current Activities of Spanish and EU authorities
15th Nov. 10.00-12.30

1.European Union
The EU political agenda for control of pesticides and other chemicals- Eric Liegeois, Biotechnology and Pesticides Unit, DG Environment

2. European NGO perspective on pesticide reduction
Pesticide hazards, inadequacies of current legislation and the need for Pesticide Use Reduction in Europe – Catherine Wattiez, PURE Coordinator, PAN Europe (powerpoint presentation)

3. Spanish Ministry of Environment
Problems in control of pesticides, POPs and other hazardous chemicals and federal level initiatives- Jaime Alejandro, Director General of Dept of Quality and Environmental Assessment

4. Barcelona District Deputation
Local level problems and initiatives in control of pesticides and other hazardous chemicals, with an emphasis on urban exposure- Eduard Teixido, Dept. Health [PDF 49KB]

5. Catalan urban exposure cases
Long-term effects of indirect occupational exposure to organophosphate and organochlorine insecticides used for interior fumigation- Dr Carmen Vals, General Medical Practitioner

Plenary session 2 Experiences in other European countries
15th Nov. 13.30-15.30

1. Denmark
The Danish Pesticide Action Plans- Lene Gravesen, Pesticides Division, Danish Environmental Protection Agency [PDF 73KB]

2. Netherlands
Controlling contamination of Dutch water sources -Leo Joosten, Manager Environment Unit , Netherlands Waterworks Association, and Natural Resources coordinator for EUREAU

3. Germany
The economic costs of pesticide dependency and the case for action to reduce unnecessary use -Gerd Fleischer, economist, German Technical Development Agency, GTZ [PDF 38KB]

4. UK
British initiatives to reduce environmental impacts of pesticides and chemicals- Andy Croxford, Policy Manager (Pesticides), UK Environment Agency [PDF 36KB]

5. European NGO perspective on chemicals reduction
The NGO perspective on REACH and the need for political action to reduce exposure to hazardous chemicals- Yannick Vicaire, Toxics Campaigner, Greenpeace France [PDF 35KB]

Workshop sessions Monday 15 November 17.00-19.00 and Tuesday 16th November 10.00-13.00

• Chemical pollutants in the urban environment; case study including pest control protocol of Mollet district council, Catalunya, on urban Integrated Pest Management.
• Chemical pollutants in the rural environment: case study including alternative control of locust pests in Port de la Selva, Catalunya.
• Chemical pollutants and health: case study including urban exposure cases among cleaning staff in Barcelona.
• Chemical pollutants and public information: case study including PAN UK and PAN Germany strategies on public access to information on pesticides, work with exposure sufferers, ‘right to know’ and capacity-building for NGOs in policy processes.

Workshop participants exchanged experiences and developed initial recommendations for follow-up and action plans.

Seminar conclusions Tuesday 16th November 13.00-13.30

Feedback of key points from workshop groups and seminar conclusions by:

Francisca Lopez, Centre for Health and Safety Conditions at Work, Catalan Department of Labour, Barcelona

Stephanie Williamson, PAN Europe Coordinator

Angeles Parra, VidaSana (Health Food & Farming Association, Spain)

Toni Oller, Comisiones Obreras trade union

Hector Gravina, Friends of the Earth Barcelona

Seminar closure: Dept. Health, Barcelona Deputation.