INTERNATIONAL EXPERT GROUP INSISTS ON FINDING ALTERNATIVES TO THE COMPLETE PHASE-OUT OF DDT

Important to know: DDT is listed in Annex B of the Stockholm Convention and its use is allowed for disease vector control in accordance with Part II of Annex B of the Convention.

The DDT Expert Group is established by the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention (hereinafter – the COP) to assess, every two years, the available scientific, technical, environmental and economic information related to production and use of DDT for consideration by the COP in its evaluation of continued need for DDT for disease vector control.

In November, the ninth Expert Group meeting on DDT was held in Geneva. At the meeting, the experts concluded that countries that are relying on DDT for disease vector control may need to continue such use until locally appropriate and cost-effective alternatives are available for a sustainable transition away from DDT. At the 9th meeting of the COP, it was decided to evaluate the continued need for DDT for disease vector control including that provided by the DDT Expert Group at its tenth meeting of the COP.10 in 2021, with the objective of accelerating the identification and development of locally appropriate, cost-effective and safe alternatives.

The eight DDT Expert Group in 2020 concluded that it is now appropriate for the Conference of the Parties to take additional steps towards a focused phasing out of DDT.

At its ninth meeting, the DDT Expert Group evaluated the continued need for DDT, assessed the initial phase-out plan proposed by COP.10, and made recommendations to the Conference of the Parties on the continued need for DDT for disease vector control and on any actions deemed necessary to reduce the reliance on DDT in the light of the above assessments.

Follow the news of the Project. Together we can reduce the risks of negative impacts of POPs on the environment and human health.