Highly hazardous pesticides in Kazakhstan: current situation and recommendations for minimizing their negative impact
An intensive development of agriculture in the Republic of Kazakhstan is accompanied by a continuous increase in the amount of applied pesticides, which results in the growth of their negative impact on both public health and the environment. The article provides an overview of laws and regulations governing the use, distribution, and import of pesticides in the territory of Kazakhstan. A list of highly hazardous pesticides is given which includes pesticides registered and applied in Kazakhstan and simultaneously included in the list of highly hazardous pesticides of the International Pesticide Action Network (PAN). Key problems associated with the handling of pesticides in the country are discussed. Currently, the total amount of the registered pesticide trademarks in Kazakhstan is 1021, of which 386 formulations for different applications contain one or more active substances included in the PAN list of highly hazardous pesticides. Basing on the analysis performed, the authors offer a number of recommendations for minimizing the negative impact of highly hazardous pesticides on human health and the environment. The proposed recommendations can provide an effective support in developing a proper system for handling hazardous chemicals in Kazakhstan, including improving the appropriate legislation and adoption the principles of organic agriculture in the country.