Environmental groups are opposing a regulation that would speed up the registry of pesticides in the country. Currently there is a 10 year waiting list fir the authorization of 2.124 agrichemical components.
In the last few years, farmers and agrichemical distributors have been demanding a faster process for authorizing pesticides.
In particular, environmentalists question a provision of the regulation that states chemicals can be incorporated into the authorized substances registry within a month, and that substances registered with the Organization of Economic Development and Cooperation would be granted a provisional authorization in Costa Rica.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock has taken into account some complaints, as it would eliminate a provision to incorporate older entries of active ingredients on the waiting list.
But the institution would keep the one-month provisional incorporation of active ingredients, claiming that these components must pass several controls before being offered to the general public.
The regulation will continue on public consultation for up 20 days more. After, it will be sent to the World Trade Organization for a six month review. Authorities expect the rule to come into effect by January or February of 2017.
Source: La Nación.