A new draft regulation aims to replace the current regulation on chemicals. However, the Ombudsman opposes it because she believes it could become a setback in the protection of human health and the environment.
For registration and control of pesticides in Costa Rica, part of the changes would be using information of already registered products. The Comptroller General already had pointed this out as a drawback practice and unlawful application of the rule.
The Ombudsman notes that in the case of technical and formulated or adjuvant products, they must provide full information that allows to perform an analysis of the quality, effectiveness and risks of the products.
Another opposition has to do with the evaluation and incorporation registration. The proposal suggests granting registration formulated synthetic pesticides for three years, even if they have not been evaluated. On this point, it is questioned whether the ministries of Health and Environment have the capacity and resources within that period and, in the case that a product gets bad results from the analysis, that would not prevent the damage during the authorized period.
Full details of each product should be evaluated prior to its use, not only by the State Phytosanitary Service, as competent authority, but also by the Ministries of Health and Environment,”
said the Ombudsman, Montserrat Solano Carboni.
Finally, the Ombudsman notes that the proposed regulation should ensure human health and environmental stability, so it should not allow the registration or use of pesticides without the notion of possible risks.