and Tourism, Ms Rejoice Mabudafhasi during workshop on the effective
implementation of the Rotterdam Convention on Prior Informed Consent (PIC)
procedure for banned and restricted chemicals and pesticides in South
Africa
23 February 2009
It is the greatest pleasure and privilege to be here and be part of this
memorable event today. I wish to take this opportunity to welcome our
distinguished guests and delegates from Geneva and Rome respectively, national
and local.
This weekâs workshop marks the sixth year after South Africa acceded to the
Rotterdam Convention of which, the Department of Environmental Affairs and
Tourism (DEAT) is the focal point and the Designated National Authority,
responsible for the co-ordination of the implementation of the Rotterdam
Convention for Prior Informed Consent (PIC) Procedure for Banned and Restricted
Chemicals and Pesticides.
As we are gathered here today we have the same goal of protecting human
health and the environment from harmful effects of hazardous chemicals and
pesticides through the proper control and management of trade of restricted and
hazardous chemicals. As such, this weekâs workshop serves as a reminder of our
responsibilities to the community, including ourselves, and assist us to
understand our roles with respect to the implementation of this convention.
It is therefore, of utmost importance to note that effective implementation
of this convention lies amongst various organisations and is not a sole
responsibility for DEAT. We are, therefore, here to forge and strengthen
engagement and relations with various parties and thus ensure that desired
objectives of the convention are achieved.
I wish to give a special thanks to the secretariat of the convention for the
profound and immeasurable support it has given to South Africa in the past
years and in years to come. This hasnât been a smooth journey since South
Africa is a developing country and thus still struggling with technical
expertise and financial resources.
In recent years there have been conventions and international frameworks
that seek to control hazardous chemicals and pesticides which led to some being
restricted, controlled and banned, hence, the establishment of the Rotterdam
Convention. However, implementation of the convention needs to be monitored
closely to ensure effective implementation.
The Constitution of South Africa grants everyone the right to a healthy
environment, and imposes a constitutional duty on the state to protect the
environment through reasonable legislative and other measures of which the
Rotterdam Convention on Prior Informed Consent forms part. It is therefore very
crucial to have deliberations of this nature wherein the effectiveness of
legislative frameworks and policies is assessed with the purpose of
strengthening them.
Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism is the focal point for
most
Multi lateral environmental agreements, but the Department of Health
administers the Hazardous Substances Act, Department of Agriculture administers
registrations and de-registrations of hazardous pesticides and Department of
Trade and Industry (DTI) is mandated with the function of controlling the
import and export of hazardous chemicals or pesticides in South Africa.
Significant interdepartmental co-ordination is therefore required to ensure
effective, efficient implementation and compliance with provisions of the
multi-lateral environmental agreement that South Africa is a signatory. This
workshop is seen as an opportunity to enhance coordination and understanding on
implementation of the convention. Over the past six years of South Africa
acceding to the Rotterdam Convention, there has been notable positive changes
and improvements in the control and management of controlled, restricted and
banned industrial chemicals and pesticides which are proudly attributed to
efforts of the international community through establishment of the Rotterdam
Convention on the PIC.
Nationally, the establishment of the National Committee on Chemicals
Management by DTI and DEAT in consultation with other relevant national
departments, industry and Non Government Organisations (NGOs) marks a step
forward in sharing information and proper understanding of the convention
providing a platform for information sharing and coordination.
The Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism has also established a
database of chemicals listed in the Convention that are exported or imported.
More information will be deliberated later. The recent initiation of a project
to determine the final regulatory actions is also set to improve the current
situation with respect to chemicals management and improve DEATs compliance
with the requirements of convention.
Since implementation of the provisions of this convention requires extensive
interdepartmental co-ordination, we need to join hands and ensure collaborative
responsibility in this regard, if need be, we need to review the current
procedures to allow for implementation of the provision of this convention.
Protection of the environment is a concurrent competence among us such that we
need to engage each other on chemicals management. It is the responsibility of
every individual to ensure that chemicals or pesticides we are using are not
detrimental to the environment and to human health.
Finally, we are convinced that through our co-ordinated efforts, the
intentions of this workshop would be achieved.
Thank you.
Issued by: Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism
23 February 2009
Source: Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (http://www.environment.gov.za/)
