Pest control is a determining factor in food production because it contributes to its increased availability. This requires having plant protection chemicals that are effective in controlling pests and which in turn are safe for human health and the environment, especially in developing countries located in the tropical zone of the planet. Developing countries grow a significant amount of the designated minor crops, which are a promising source of food and also can be used for economic development if traded in the international market. However, for these crops, there are limited plant protection chemicals to control pests, because for the pesticide industry the economic return that represents pesticide use on these crops does not make up for the investment required in the field trials needed to determine the biological effectiveness and the establishment of MRLs. As an alternative to this challenge faced by developing countries, it is necessary to strengthen capacity building as well as strategic partnerships in order to generate the necessary data for the establishment of MRLs (e.g., laboratory equipment, trained staff in GLP, etc.) that could be shared with other countries, thus providing economic benefits and competitiveness in trade to growers of minor crops.

Challenges to pesticide regulation for international trade, food safety, and food security in the developing world

248th National Meeting (2014)

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