Chlorpyrifos is an organophosphate, neurotoxic pesticide widely used in agriculture. Its neurotoxic effect is due to its ability of inhabiting acetylcholinesterase (AChE), an enzyme needed for the proper functioning of nervous system. Because of its acute toxicity, it is being evaluated by the Stockholm Convention POPs Review Committee (POPRC) which will potentially be listed under POPs and banned globally (Overview (pops.int). It is also under evaluation under the Rotterdam Convention Chemicals Review Committee (CRC) for listing in Annex III of the Convention (Overview (pic.int)). These concerted efforts are geared towards banning chlorpyrifos.
Because of its adverse effects on human health, the environment and other non-target organisms, chlorpyrifos is banned in 39 countries globally. In Ethiopia, chlorpyrifos is allowed only for restrict use. Despite this fact, the chemical is widely available in pesticide shops in rural areas where smallholder farmers are purchasing and using it. It is widely used in the horticulture sector – with no technical support or guidance on its use. It is also one of the chemicals used for locust control by the Ministry of Agriculture.
In 2022, PAN Ethiopia conducted an assessment on the use of chlorpyrifos in Ethiopia and the situation report indicated that Ethiopia is a net importer of chlorpyrifos from three countries – Israel, India and china; importing a total of volume of 123,569.7 Kg with the highest volume (76%) imported from India followed by China and Israel – 18% and 6% respectively.
In June 2024, PAN Ethiopia in collaboration with other likeminded stakeholders conducted a campaign to push for the phasing out of chlorpyrifos in Ethiopia and replace it with other alternatives. There are a number of chemical and non-chemical alternatives to chlropyrifos but PAN and the other NGO stakeholder promote agro ecology as a viable alternative for toxic pesticides – including chlorpyrifos (agroecology_booklet_final_22_june_2020-pan-ethiopia-post.pdf (ipen.org).
