Banned and Restricted Pesticides in the Philippines

Criteria for Pesticide Restriction/Banning

  • Toxicity category: Assessing harmfulness to humans and environment.
  • Antidote availability: Importance of accessibility in case of poisoning.
  • Suicide potential: Pesticides that can facilitate self-harm are critically assessed.
  • Environmental contamination: Effects on ecosystems that may arise from usage.
  • Persistence: Duration the pesticide remains active in the environment.
  • Human safety: Ensuring protection against direct harm.
  • Carcinogens: Compounds that can lead to cancer.
  • Teratogens: Substances that cause malformation in developing embryos.
  • Mutagens: Chemicals causing genetic mutations in future generations.

Definitions

  • Carcinogenic: Tendency to cause cancer.
  • Teratogenic: Tendency to cause malformations.
  • Mutagenic: Causes changes in genetic structures in subsequent generations.

Pesticide Status

  • Restricted: Pesticides can be used under specific conditions set by authorities.
  • Banned: All activities (importation, research, use, sale, movement) are prohibited.

Banned Chemicals (examples)

  1. Naphthylthiourea - Banned: FPA Circular No. 04, Series of 1989.
  2. 2,4,5-T - Banned: FPA Circular No. 04, Series of 1989.
  3. DDT - Banned: FPA Memorandum Circular No. 1, Series of 2019 (specific uses allowed).
  4. Deltamethrin - Banned in banana use as per FPA Memorandum Circular No. 1, Series of 2019.

Restricted Chemicals (examples)

  1. Aldicarb - Restricted: FPA Circular No. 04, Series of 1989 (specific use only).
  2. DDT - Restricted: All uses cancelled except for malaria control as determined by the Department of Health.
  3. Endosulfan - Concentrations below 5% are allowed, excluding use in paddy rice.

Restrictions and Safety

  • Importation Restrictions: Not allowed except in emergencies as determined by authorities.
  • Required Aeration: Critical for treated commodities before processing into food/feed.

Usage Limitations

  • Institutional Use Only: Some chemicals (e.g. Phenamiphos, Methidathion) are limited to specific agricultural practices, primarily on bananas and pineapples.

Fumigants and Chemicals

  • Certified Use: Certain chemicals (Methyl Bromide, Carbon Disulfide) are only to be used by certified professionals with strict adherence to safety protocols.