IPEN National Campaigns on Chlorpyrifos

In 2024, IPEN initiated national campaign on chlorpyrifos in 13 countries to support the need to ban chlorpyrifos including this substance in the Annex of the Stockholm Convention during the upcoming COP in 2025. AWHHE joined this initiative by conducting a campaign in Armenia during April-June 2024. As background material, AWHHE used the Country Situation Report on chlorpyrifos in Armenia, which was produced in 2022 with the financial support and technical guidance from IPEN.  The aim was to continue raising awareness of farmers, importers, local decision-makers, as well as strengthen advocacy with national decision-makers. The initial IPEN coordination webinar helped understand the project and plan the outreach. AWHHE used the letter template provided by IPEN for preparing and sending official letters in Armenian language via the government electronic system to the Mr. Hakop Simidyan, Minister of Environment of the Republic of Armenia (ref. Letter 64 dated 2 May 2024), and Mr. Armen Hayrapetyan, Head of the Food Safety Inspection Body of the Republic of Armenia (ref. Letter 65 dated 2 May 2024). Both the authorities sent official replies to AWHHE. A meeting was organized in the Ministry of Environment on 8 May 2024 with Dr. Anahit Aleksandryan, the National Focal Point of the Stockholm Convention and the legal expert, and Ms. Liana Papakhchyan, Head of Waste Management Department. AWHHE shared the results of the Report on chlorpyrifos (https://awhhe.am/april-june-2022-the-situation-with-chlorpyrifos-in-armenia/). Dr. Aleksandryan noted that according to national legislation, the substance should be included in the Annex of the Stockholm Convention, then the substance should be included in the national list of substances, and only then action on banning can be taken. Until this happens, there is a need to conduct awareness raising and advocacy activities on the dangers of chlorpyrifos so that to gain support for banning chlorpyrifos in Armenia.  

 

This was followed by communication campaign in social media to reach out to farmers.

A press release was prepared using IPEN template, for national internet resources:

The release was published on the following websites, in Armenian language: Yerevan Aarhus Center and the website of the Ecolur Information NGO 

A seminar for farmers and local authorities in Syunik province:

On 14 June 2024, the issue of the impacts of chlorpyrifos and alternatives was highlighted at a seminar for farmers on Highly Hazardous Pesticides, which took place in the town of Sisian, Syunik province. Among the participants were farmers representing 6 rural settlements and representatives of local administration. At the seminar, AWHHE distributed a brochure on chlorpyrifos which was produced in frame of another project.

the brochure is posted on AWHHE website, https://awhhe.am/publications-and-press-releases/

 

Photo: AWHHE Expert Ms. Knarik Grigoryan discusses chlorpyrifos with the seminar participants in Sisian, Syunik province of Armenia