Number: 1983-05
WHEREAS, pesticides that have been banned in the U.S. continue to be produced in this country for export to developing countries; and
WHEREAS, the governments of the importing countries often have poorly developed institutions to gather and disseminate authoritative information about the hazards posed by pesticides to humans and to fish and wildlife, and monitor their long-term ecological impacts; and
WHEREAS, farm workers involved in the application of pesticides as well as the general public in these developing countries are usually unaware of the dangers posed by pesticides and thus often apply excessive amounts of chemicals taking few precautions; and
WHEREAS, each year, thousands of human beings are poisoned, many fatally, by improperly labelled or incorrectly applied pesticides; and
WHEREAS, U.S. consumers are being exposed to banned or unregistered pesticides, returning as residues in or on imported foods such as coffee, bananas, tea and beef; and
WHEREAS, persistent and broad spectrum pesticides are causing the same widespread harm, such as eliminating non-target species, killing of fish, causing thin egg shells and poor breeding success in many species of birds, that caused them to be banned in the United States; and
WHEREAS, the populations of many waterfowl, doves and other North American bird species that overwinter in Latin America could be adversely affected by pesticide contamination of their wintering habitats;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation, in annual meeting assembled March 17-20, 1983, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, hereby urges the U.S. Government to prohibit the export of pesticides that have been banned or that are not registered for use in this country, except where public health emergencies may require their use and where the importing government gives its informed consent; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation urges the U.S. Government to provide to developing countries information on medical and biological research conducted in this country, and, when asked, to assist them in the design of training programs, rules, regulations and standards for the use of pesticides; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation urges the U.S. Government to reassume its leadership role in the design of agreements among developed nations on guidelines for the testing, export and sale of pesticides; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation supports the efforts of other national and international organizations to promote the safe use of pesticides in conjunction with integrated pest management in developing countries.