In The News:

New system for classification and labelling of chemicals to be implemented (Pesticide Action Network Philippines)

10/12/06-- A new system for the classification and labeling of chemicals has been developed and is now available for implementation in countries worldwide, including the Philippines. (read here)

Benguet to shift to organic farming (10/15/06 - ABS-CBNnews.com)

Another fox in the EPA henhouse, Malaysia lifts paraquat ban, California enacts "healthy day care" bill, scientists and engineers join to defeat anti-science candidates, and more... (10/12/06 - PANNA)

Pesticides are a leading suicide method (WHO)

09/08/06-- WHO has received reports of a growing number of suicides due to pesticide ingestion in many other countries in Asia, as well as in countries such as in countries in Central and South America. (read here)

Latest Events:

Fifth Session of the Intergovernmental Forum on Chemical Safety (IFCS) - Budapest, Hungary
September 2006

Global coalition of Health and Toxic Experts Demand that WHO Stop Irresponsible Promotion of DDT Spraying

A broad coalition of health and toxics experts from every continent called on the World Health Organization to reverse its aggressive promotion of DDT for malaria control and expressed outrage at the agency for a statement giving DDT spraying inside peopleÂ's homes a Â"clean bill of health.Â"

PeoplesÂ' Voices Resound at the IFCS Forum V - Selected Highlights of the IFCS

The 5th Inter-governmental Forum on Chemical Safety (IFCS), now in its third day of proceedings, got off to a good start on Monday 25th morning with outgoing President, Dr Suwit Wibulpolpraset placing the need for transparency, punctuality, equality and mutual respect, and willingness to listen to the viewpoints of others, as crucial elements for the success of the ForumÂ's proceedings.

IFCS Forum V- Highlights for September 26

NGOs delegates from various organisations gathered on the steps of the Budapest Congress and World Trade Centre, venue of the 5th Inter-governmental Forum on Chemical Safety (IFCS), to protest the new promotion of DDT that is the centerpiece of the World Health OrganisationÂ's Â'Roll Back Malaria CampaignÂ'.

WHY DDT? WHOÂ's campaign promoting DDT greeted with condemnation at the IFCS

Dr. Romeo Quijano of PAN Philippines took the WHO to task asserting, Â"It practically dismisses the overwhelming evidence accumulated over the years by various scientific bodies, including WHO sponsored technical groupsÂ".

PAN International Briefing Paper on the Precautionary Principle

Paper of Sarojeni Rengam of PAN AP explains why action should be taken to reduce risk from chemicals in the face of uncertain but suggestive evidence of harm.

Poverty and Pesticides: Protecting Health and the Environment

Paper of Sarojeni Rengam of PAN AP makes the case that health and environmental protection leads to poverty reduction and attainment of the Millenium Development Goals.