The Caribbean region has recently taken a significant step towards improving good agricultural practices by participating in the Regional Training and Capacity Building Workshop on Good Labelling Practices for Pesticides in Agriculture. This event was part of the Caribbean Child Project of the GEF funded programme “Implementing Sustainable Low and Non-Chemical Development in Small Island Developing States (ISLANDS)” implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and executed by the Basel Convention Regional Centre for Training and Technology Transfer for the Caribbean (BCRC-Caribbean). 

Held in Bridgetown, Barbados, on July 22-23, 2024, the workshop aimed to enhance the capacity of Caribbean nations to comply with FAO/WHO Guidance on Good Labelling Practice for Pesticides. Proper labelling is vital as it provides essential information about pesticide products, including safe usage instructions, potential hazards, and necessary precautions. Key challenges in this area in the region include a lack of regulatory clarity, limited resources for compliance, insufficient public awareness, inadequate education and training on labelling requirements, and poor collaboration among stakeholders.

The workshop was conducted in partnership with Caribbean Agriculture Health and Food Safety Agency. The comprehensive agenda for the two-day workshop included sessions on understanding and evaluating pesticide labels, compliance with international standards, and practical solutions for common challenges. Participants engaged with experts through a mix of presentations, hands-on evaluations, and interactive discussions.

Mr. Baogen Gu, Senior Agricultural Officer and Team Leader of Pest and Pesticide Management at FAO, highlighted the importance of good labelling practices. "The pesticide label is an essential document for production, use, and management, containing critical legal and safety information. Understanding and adhering to these labels is paramount for the safety and well-being of all stakeholders, especially farmers."

As the Caribbean continues to navigate the complexities of agricultural development, this training represented a critical step towards ensuring the safe and sustainable use of pesticides, thereby protecting human health and the environment.