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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1065/espr2002.07.125 --- During the last 30 years, the increase of the human
population in the Amazon introduced the need for additional food
production and caused the state government to implement programs
to increase and improve agricultural production. The production
of nontraditional crops introduced several problems unknown
to traditional farmers, since they are not well adapted to
tropical conditions. Their susceptibility to insects, fungi and other
plagues, and the competition with native vegetation forced farmers
to use pesticides intensively. Amazonian farmers were not adequately
prepared for the use of this new technology; they ignored
the risk of pesticides to human health and the environment.
Using the region of the state capital Manaus as an example, the
characteristics of the pesticide use are described (e.g. the increased
use and the lack of personal protective equipment, as well as the
legal situation). In detail, the registration status of pesticides used
in the State of Amazonas and the state of their registration in the
European Union is compared. Finally, it is concluded that the use
and the fate of pesticides in the Amazon region has to be monitored.
Data of the effects on humans and on the environment
have to be collected from the literature or have to be produced in
standardized tests, so that an environmental risk assessment becomes
possible. Training and information programs are urgently
needed in order to build up environmentally sustainable agriculture.
Finally, the enforcement of Brazilian laws concerning pesticide
registration has to be improved.