FPA bans use of technical grade endosulfan

MANILA, Philippines - The Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) has banned the use of technical grade endosulfan and its related alpha isomers and formulations as pesticide, Food security chief Francis Pangilinan announced yesterday.

Pangilinan, who has direct supervision over FPA, said the agency’s board passed on Jan. 23, a resolution banning the use of technical grade endosulfan because of its ill effects to health and the environment.

“We shall continue to uphold the mandate of the FPA, which is to oversee resolutions that will protect the public from the inherent risks of using pesticides,” Pangilinan said.

“This is only the continuation of ensuring that our farmers are using quality formulations without risking their health, well-being and the environment,” he added. 

Since 2004, the Philippines has been a party to the Stockholm Treaty on Persistent Organic Pollutants, which was amended in 2011 to include endosulfan in the list of organic pollutants.

In imposing the ban, the Philippines is fulfilling its commitment to the treaty to stop the use of such pollutants.