Decolonising pesticide regulatory frameworks: shedding the ‘industrial’ and the ‘colonial’ to protect health of pesticide users in low- and middle-income countries
1
Centre for Pesticide Suicide Prevention, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
At the time of increased awareness of the negative impact of pesticides on health and the environment and the commitment to phase out highly hazardous pesticides (1,2), one needs to consider how effectively the existing pesticide regulations mitigate pesticide risks and whether they are fit to protect human health and the environment, including small-holder users.
METHODS:
We conducted a legislative analysis reviewing select pesticide laws from key high- and low- and middle-income countries (HICs and LMICs), highlighted their principles and origins. We trace the origin of pesticide regulatory frameworks to early- to mid-20th-century legislation in the US and Europe (3,4). We then analyse how these principles succeed or fail in reducing adverse impact of pesticide on health in countries with predominantly small holder agriculture (5,6). We use the decolonisation framework (7,8,9) to discuss the inherent inequality ingrained in the current pesticide management, leading to small-holders often becoming the casualties of policies written for different realities.
RESULTS:
We argue that current pesticide regulatory frameworks – with their prioritization of economic gains and the realities of industrialised agriculture – do not offer effective risk mitigation measures and protection of health for the users in LMICs. These frameworks completely forget about – and frequently blame for the negative consequences of pesticide use – small-scale users, people who suffer most harm associated with pesticides (6).
CONCLUSIONS:
Decolonisation of pesticide regulatory frameworks is a complex process, requiring an in-depth understanding of the history of pesticide legislation, the influence of the Green Revolution, and other international and economic processes. We conclude that decolonising pesticide regulatory frameworks means promoting the elements of the framework that are effective in conditions of use in LMICs. The goal of this re-framing should be the prevention of pesticide exposure and the protection of human health and the environment.
At the time of increased awareness of the negative impact of pesticides on health and the environment and the commitment to phase out highly hazardous pesticides (1,2), one needs to consider how effectively the existing pesticide regulations mitigate pesticide risks and whether they are fit to protect human health and the environment, including small-holder users.
METHODS:
We conducted a legislative analysis reviewing select pesticide laws from key high- and low- and middle-income countries (HICs and LMICs), highlighted their principles and origins. We trace the origin of pesticide regulatory frameworks to early- to mid-20th-century legislation in the US and Europe (3,4). We then analyse how these principles succeed or fail in reducing adverse impact of pesticide on health in countries with predominantly small holder agriculture (5,6). We use the decolonisation framework (7,8,9) to discuss the inherent inequality ingrained in the current pesticide management, leading to small-holders often becoming the casualties of policies written for different realities.
RESULTS:
We argue that current pesticide regulatory frameworks – with their prioritization of economic gains and the realities of industrialised agriculture – do not offer effective risk mitigation measures and protection of health for the users in LMICs. These frameworks completely forget about – and frequently blame for the negative consequences of pesticide use – small-scale users, people who suffer most harm associated with pesticides (6).
CONCLUSIONS:
Decolonisation of pesticide regulatory frameworks is a complex process, requiring an in-depth understanding of the history of pesticide legislation, the influence of the Green Revolution, and other international and economic processes. We conclude that decolonising pesticide regulatory frameworks means promoting the elements of the framework that are effective in conditions of use in LMICs. The goal of this re-framing should be the prevention of pesticide exposure and the protection of human health and the environment.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
We process personal data collected when visiting the website. The function of obtaining information about users and their behavior is carried out by voluntarily entered information in forms and saving cookies in end devices. Data, including cookies, are used to provide services, improve the user experience and to analyze the traffic in accordance with the Privacy policy. Data are also collected and processed by Google Analytics tool (more).
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
