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| Syngenta works hard to ensure that its products – used by millions of people,
from subsistence farmers and independent smallholders to large commercial
growers – are handled, stored and used as recommended to prevent harm to people
and the environment. This includes activities that are outside the company’s
direct control, in transport, use and disposal. |
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The safe handling of Syngenta products is essential to protect workers and
improve the safety and quality of their produce. Syngenta works with
governments, regulatory bodies, food companies, non-governmental organizations
(NGOs) and farmers to make sure their concerns are addressed. |
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Some NGOs have raised concerns about the safe use of paraquat, the active
ingredient in the well-established Syngenta herbicide, GRAMOXONE®.
Paraquat is registered in more than 120 countries, which between them produce
over 95 percent of global agricultural output. Syngenta herbicide Atrazine has
also been the subject of concern. Atrazine has been extensively researched and
meets the most stringent regulatory requirements. Farmers around the world have
been using both herbicides safely and effectively for over 40 years. Further
information on these products can be found online at the the Paraquat Information Center and our Atrazine website. |
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| Syngenta has for many years run extensive stewardship programs in both
developed and developing countries, teaching farmers and their families how to
handle agricultural chemicals safely. The company is committed to continuing and
expanding these stewardship programs globally. Syngenta organizes training
programs to ensure the safe and effective use of its products. Such product
stewardship programs cover four areas, following the route Syngenta products
take from factory to farmer. These are: |
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Packaging and labeling |
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Transport and storage |
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Safe and effective use |
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Safe disposal of containers and obsolete stocks. |
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Over the past three years Syngenta has commissioned independent research into
the safe use of its products by growers. Over 9,000 farmers were surveyed. The
industry association Crop Life Asia has adopted this questionnaire as one of
their standard methods of assessments. In October 2006, Syngenta presented the
initial findings of this research at a
conference in Tanzania on pesticide
use in developing countries, organized by the African Network for Chemical
Analysis of Pesticides. The full findings will be published in a peer-reviewed
journal in 2007. |
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| More than 40 countries are now participating in a Syngenta initiative to
effectively manage adverse health incidents related to use of its crop
protection products. The aim is to work in partnership with health organizations
to improve existing local management practices and provide consistent data to
enable reliable comparisons. |
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