Debbie Muir, Specialist Programme Manager for the Department of Environmental Affairs: Natural Resource Management Programmes in South Africa was selected to represent the Environmental Chamber for the Global South. The DEA is one of the largest users of pesticides in South Africa under the Working for Water and other related programmes. We are positive that Debbie will share her invaluable experience with the FSC Pesticides Working Group.

The revised policy will include the best feasible approaches for reducing the use of chemical pesticides in FSC-certified operations, and for preventing, minimizing, and mitigating the environmental and social impacts of chemical pesticide use.

The FSC Pesticides Policy regulates the use of pesticides in FSC-certified operations. Its key elements are:
The identification and avoidance of ‘highly hazardous’ pesticides.
The promotion of ‘non-chemical’ methods of pest management as an element of an integrated pest management strategy.
The appropriate use of those pesticides that are used.

The FSC International Board of Directors decided to revise the Pesticides Policy in March 2015 and approved the terms of reference for an interest-balanced working group to lead the revision process in November 2015. The activities of the working group commenced in July 2016.