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SAFE USE |
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Ensuring safe use of our products
For many years, Syngenta has been at the forefront of developing ways to ensure that our customers, users of our products, consumers and the environment are safeguarded.
Syngenta products are used in 140 countries worldwide by farmers from independent smallholders to large commercial growers. To ensure our products are used safely in all circumstances we have to be flexible, tailoring our product stewardship information and guidance to suit local conditions and farming methods.
Labels are the first source of information for farmers on how to use and apply our products in a way that is effective against the target pest, yet doesn't pose unnecessary risks for people or the environment. We ensure our labels are clear, giving all the information needed in the correct language, and are firmly secured to the container.
But this alone isn't always effective. What if the farmer can't read?
In developing countries, low levels of literacy mean many farmers can't read the label. To help them, Syngenta has developed pictograms to show farmers how to prepare and use our products safely. These are now used in developing countries to support the text label.
On-pack leaflets attached to the pack in a plastic bag or by a neck tag are also used to provide more detailed safety information. Our research shows these are effective in reaching farmers and are even passed on to family and neighbors.
Syngenta has also presented innovative training programs in a number of countries to show farmers and their families how to use crop protection chemicals safely.
Training is not just targeted at user safety, but also addresses issues such as managing environmental risk and residues in food. These problems may be associated with excessive chemical use, and may be a by-product of farmers not knowing how to manage pests effectively.
Syngenta actively promotes integrated pest management (IPM), resulting in more precise, targeted use of crop protection products. This can cost farmers less and improves their profits, while helping to reduce residues in food and the environment. It can also assist in resistance management.
 Training in developing countries is just one facet of our approach. We run training
and education programs worldwide to show farmers how to use our products safely
and effectively. Our courses
cover topics such as good application technique and understanding spray drift.
Many growers receive little official training
in effective application of the products they purchase, so our workshops that
teach basic concepts and practical ways to improve the quality and effectiveness
of spraying operations are in high demand.
Talking to farmers through their children
Together with the Brazilian authorities, Syngenta has developed an innovative training program for rural schools, training over 270,000 children in the safe use of crop
protection products.
 The 18-lesson program, which runs in summer when most pesticides are used, includes games and competitions, and even a questionnaire to interview a family member on their use of crop protection products. The children are given a sign with information on safe use for their home or the farm where their family works.
The training ends with a closing ceremony where children
use their own poems, songs and plays to illustrate what
they have learnt an important event attended by parents,
the local mayor, politicians, agronomists and the media.
Roadshow brings safety message to rural
farmers
 A 2001 Vietnamese Ministry of Health survey showed that few farmers knew how to use crop protection products safely, and injuries were common because personal protective equipment was rarely used and sprayers weren't maintained.
Syngenta is working with the Ministry
to develop training on the safe use of crop protection products. In 2002 the Syngenta Safe Use Roadshow' reached 10,000 villagers, using games to teach farmers about protective clothing, reading labels and handling knapsack sprayers.
As well, medical centers and local clinics are now trained to recognize and treat poisoning.
Targeting drift in the United States
In the United States, Syngenta is working to manage drift of crop protection products during spraying. This includes analyzing droplet size and investigating the drift potential of different product formulations, designing and testing new application equipment, making equipment recommendations, developing label recommendations targeted at reducing drift, technical training for staff and customers, and trouble shooting.
Syngenta also provides a website to help applicators, growers and others understand and manage the risk of drift, and has prepared and delivered literature, training and label recommendations aimed at minimizing drift.
Improving the use of crop protection products through integrated pest management
A five year program in the Dominican Republic's Constanza Valley, teaching integrated pest management and safe use of crop protection products, led to a 50% use reduction. Farmers  learnt to spray discriminatingly, according to pest levels and using better spray equipment. This also reduced wastage and lowered residue levels in soil, groundwater, and vegetables.
The program was set up by Syngenta, which established a farmer support team to teach farmers good practices. We also worked with government to launch a schools awareness campaign throughout the valley. Thirty-six lessons were devised covering safety, the major pests and diseases in vegetable crops and the principles of IPM.
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