Networks and alliances

PAN 20 years of action
In May 2002 Pesticide Action Network celebrated 20 years of activity and looked back proudly on its many achievements. Over the last year these include issues where PAN UK has taken a leading role: adoption of a stronger pesticide code; significant action to remove the threat of persistent pesticide pollution; funds to clear Africa of old stockpiles; and commitment to the Prior Informed Consent system that helps countries stop unwanted pesticide imports. PAN groups came together in Rome for the 2002 World Food Summit Five Years Later to highlight pesticide problems in food production.

PAN provides an integrated vision of the problems that pesticides create for farmers, workers, consumers and communities in rural and urban areas. It helps policy makers and the public understand the effects of chemicals on human health, the environment and biodiversity, and of the economic impacts. PAN works 
constructively to find solutions for pest management problems.

Each PAN Centre is independent, focusing on regional priorities and supporting more than 500 local groups that make up the whole network. Together, the work meets common goals to end the deadly trail of pesticide poisoning and contamination. PAN UK hosted the 2002 Regional Coordinators meeting, and maintains joint projects with PAN Africa.

Pesticide Use Reduction in Europe
The coordination of PAN Europe was transferred from Hamburg to London in September 2002, enabling PAN UK to play an increased role in its activities. PAN Europes Pesticide Use Reduction in Europe (PURE) campaign gained in strength with the publication of its suggested text for an EU Directive and 71 organisations in 22 European countries support this campaign, including environmental, public health, consumer and farmer groups. We are supporting PAN Europes PURE Coordinator, Catherine Wattiez, to expand the campaign via partnerships for effective lobbying at EU and national levels. 

PAN UK took part in the stakeholder conference organised by the European Commission on its proposed strategy for Sustainable Use of Pesticides. Building alliances with farmer and consumer groups is important for advocating a major shift to IPM and Integrated Crop Management as minimum standards in the context of reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and the accession of Central and Eastern European countries to the EU in 2004. 

Public participation in pesticide policy processes is crucial yet most public interest groups struggle to cope with the complex and time-consuming work of following government and decision-
making on pesticide approvals and regulations. PAN UK works with PAN Europe partners to assess the most effective options, and facilitate NGO and public participation.

Networks for change
In 2002 the Lindane Campaign Group lobbied the UK governments Advisory Committee on Pesticides to improve the regulation of hazardous pesticides, proving that household lindane products, finally banned in June 2002, were still on sale months later. Our article Dying For a Bit of Chocolate appeared in The Ecologist magazine in March 2002.

PAN UK took part in the Stop Paraquat Campaign calling for Syngenta to phase out production and use of paraquat, an acutely toxic herbicide widely used in plantations in the tropics with serious health consequences for workers. We co-published the report Paraquat: Syngentas controversial herbicide.

PAN UK is on the Council of SUSTAIN, the alliance for better food and farming, and plays an active role in the UK Food Group, an alliance of environment, development, farming and consumer organisations promoting policies that support food security and sustainable rural livelihoods.

Supporting Bhopal
The Bhopal Peoples Health and Documentation Clinic has provided direct support to over 10,000 people suffering from the poisonous gas leak of December 1984. Every year on the anniversary of the disaster, the UK support group runs an advertisement to raise funds for the clinic, and remember the plight of those affected. The last two years have seen a remarkable increase in support from the British public, and the 2002 donations exceeded 45,000. PAN UK administers these funds as its contribution to Bhopal survivors. See also www.bhopal.org  & www.bhopal.net and the latest Bhopal fundraising advert