Environmental and Pest Management Plan

COLOMBIA: AGRICULTURAL TRANSITION P082167

Environmental and Pest Management Plan

EA Category: B

1. Background and Strategic Focus of the Project

The Summary of the Environmental Analysis

As indicated by the “Analysis of the Agricultural Sector and the Environment” (León 2004) performed as a part of the project preparation, agricultural activities are currently entailing potentially high risks to the environmental sustainability in Colombia. A study, performed by IGAC – ICA –CORPOICA in 2002 and quoted by León, showed that 32.7 percent of the transformed land in Colombia is being overexploited in terms of the natural resource use (68 percent of them to a severe and moderate degree) while 29.7 percent is being under-exploited. Natural resource overexploitation phenomena are usually associated with the conflicts originating in the development of agricultural activities in sensitive ecosystems such as the rainforest and mountain areas, natural forests, and wetlands. The overexploitation impacts include erosion, desertification and soil compaction, as well as pollution and salinization, both of soils and water resources.

An additional diagnosis component of the above mentioned study (León 2004) refers to the use of pesticides in the agricultural sector. The entire marketing process (registration, sale and use) involving pesticides in Colombia showed an upwards trend, including the use of fungicides and herbicides in particular. Notwithstanding the efforts being made by the health authorities, the use of forbidden pesticides or high-toxicity pesticides in agriculture still exists.

Environmental dimension of the Competitive Fund

On a more encouraging note, the experience of using Competitive Funds as recorded in the country have had positive impacts on various environmental variables. As shown by a study done by León et al (2003)[1], on the inclusion of biodiversity criteria in agricultural sector policy, the subprojects financed both by PRONATTA over the 1994-2001 period, and by the National Agricultural Science and Technology Programme of COLCIENCIAS, are to a large extent positively linked with the improved biodiversity use and conservation.

The benefitstothe development of the agricultural sector competitiveness through improving the natural resourcebase, lessening of the risk vis-à-vis the current international market demands, and the potential product entry into ecological markets are aspects which uses the environmental dimension (Rojas and Espinosa 2004). It is also to be noted that these three environmental factors could be incorporated into the evaluation process of the subprojects proposals for funding through the Competitive Fund. Furthermore the following aspects shall be considered in the selection, implementation and management of subproject proposals.

a)All subproject proposals should include a detailed description of the proposed technological interventions. This is aimed at eliminating the use of potentially risky technologies as well as providing opportunities to search for more environmentally friendly technological alternatives;

b)All subprojects should explicitly describe the main potentially positive, neutral, and negative environmental impacts, identified in their proposals;

c)In all cases, a statement to lessening, compensating for or preventing negative impacts identified will be required to be included in the project presentation protocol and in the required expertise included in the hired team for the execution of each subproject.

The environmental criteria that have been included in the each of the components of the project design are as follows:

(C.1) Knowledge and Innovation Component

The environmental sustainability shall be accounted for by the evaluation, rating and selection of subproject proposals being awarded through the Competitive Fund. In order to ensure the optimal management of natural resources and quality of life of the population, subprojects must ensure the environmental viability of subproject development and implementation. In the subproject selection process, the environmental criteriashall be given due consideration. Additionally, the subproject proposals must include a description of technological packages to be used, a description of the main environmental impacts identified, as well as the eventual efforts to be undertaken to abate, compensate for or prevent negative environmental impacts.

Screening and evaluation of the subproject proposals therefore would require an interdisciplinary vision. That aspect of the Competitive Fund management therefore may include not only a technical-scientific analysis but also economic, business, social and environmental analyses that would have to be performed. These environmental criteria would be further defined in the project’s Subproject Operational Manual, including the use of forbidden pesticides, water and soil pollution risks, and risks entailed by the occurrence of agrochemical residue in food (the pesticide use aspects are detailed in the Annex 10.2 subsection). Positive environmental interventions may deal with topics related to: product safety, biodiversity harnessing, rainforest protection; promotion of crops and cattle breeding, under the agro forestry, livestock or agro-livestock systems; conservation and efficient use of irrigation water; proper soil and water management; management of agrochemicals; and sustainable agriculture (Leon 2004).

(C.2) Strengthening of the National Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures System Component

Training in Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) to improve admissibility of agricultural products in the international markets (especially in the beef, fruit and vegetable chains) also means that progress is being made in improving how the natural resources should be used. The product quality evaluation in terms of admissible pesticide residues for entering EU or US markets is a capacity that would need to be developed within the country SPS system. Awareness on these issues will thus be increased not only among agricultural practitioners but also among all the actors of a given production chain who are responsible for this activity.

Indicators of environmental impact

Taking the experiences of the previous interventions of the Bank in Colombia in the agricultural sector such as PRONATTA, and with the objective of enabling the concept and application of the ERMAP detailed below that assures appropriate evaluation of the potential environmental impacts, it was considered necessary to establish basic indicators based on economic information, social and environmental suitability, within an integral concept of environmental sustainability.

Screening of subproject proposals for the Competitive Fund. Within the context of funding the subprojects under the component 1 Competitive Fund of this project, a mechanism of screening for environmental impact (León and Espinosa, 2004: 74-80)will be set up for the Project through several approaches(see Table 10.1):

(a) In constituting the Expert Panel for the selection of subprojects, an environmental expert will be included;

(b) The monitoring and evaluation of subprojects and the project as a whole would consult with an Environmental Specialistin order to ensure the optimal management of natural resources and quality of life of the population affected by subprojects; and

(c) The SubprojectOperational Manual shall include a ‘negative list of activities’ that would not be funded (these items may include but not be limited to: large dams, use of prohibited pesticides(see the section on Action Plan 10.2), clearing primary forests for crops or pasture, etc.

Capacity Development to improve the National SPS system. In the case of strengthening the national sanitary and phytosanitary system with respect to environmental valorization,the lack of technical diagnostic capacity and impact indicators of diverse alternative means of handling environmental resources is one of the methodological problems. The project through its Environmental action plan identifies the steps to follow (see below).

2. Environmental Risk Mitigation Action Plan (ERMAP)

An Environmental Risk Mitigation Action Plan is proposed to avoid potential adverse effects that would play an important role in the agricultural transition process. Potential areas of change where the natural resources could undergo potentially negative or positive effects therefore require close attention are: (a) Growth: Expansion of the processes of technological innovation at the national level and incorporation of new areas within production chain development; (b). Agriculture: Changes in the farming practices and the use of technological or consumer goods resulting from developed chains leads to the need to set up sustainable use of fragile mixed farming practices and systems; and (c). Livestock: Changes in livestock management associated with better natural resource management and biodiversity conservation, implying a need for adjustments to the production systems.

The specific objectives of the Environmental risk mitigation action plan over and above the PDO is to: (a) incorporate environmental aspects in all relevant activities and technologies proposed and financed by the project; (b) determine the potential impact on the environment prior to and at the time of project formulation and continuouslythroughout implementation in order to integrate mitigation measures; and (c) conduct post-impact analysis to delineate lessons from this project. The outcome of thisproject will be to contribute to the development of sustainable and environmentally safe technologies in a defined research agenda and to this end the following actions are proposed:

1) Environmental Screening of Subprojects from Selection and Implementation to Monitoring and Evaluation under the Competitive Fund:

(a) Draw up the criteria necessary for the Competitive Fund allocation by subprojects that are environmentally friendly. It would include:

(i) The Minimum Prior Conditions to be met by the subprojects/activities;

(ii) Establishing the operational indicators that will be used as a filter for the selection and approval of the subprojects/activities; and

(iii) Incorporate indicators that are to be measured and/or evaluated for follow-up and assessment of activity/subproject. This aspect could be done in collaboration with the Environmental Expert hired for the Expert Panel.

(b) Environmental valuation exercises (cost/benefit) of subprojects/activities to:

(i) Encourage the implementing organizations to conduct an environmental valuation exercise of the benefits they propose to obtain through technologies already implemented or to be implemented; and

(ii) Facilitate the training of experts in environmental economic valuation, so that they will be able to assist any subprojects requiring help. This would be cost-shared with the organization(s) conducting the exercise.

(c) Periodic evaluation of the Environmental Management Plans drawn up by the activities/subprojects, which would include:

(i) Development of capacities of implementers and producers;

(ii) The action plan, based on the results of minimum indicators, duly scheduled and budgeted; and

(iii) Drafting of specific reports on the advances of the Environmental Management Plans and compliance therewith.

(d) Draw up a “Methodological Validation Study on Effects and Impacts per type of Subproject, intervention sites, and impact areas”. This should permit, first and foremost, the generation of a standard instrument for the evaluation of potential environmental risks of new technologies to be introduced. This would involve the hiring of an expert for the validation study and resulting Environmental Management Plan for use as a management tool and for subsequent M&E.

(2) Conducting mid-term and final evaluations

Conducting mid-term and final evaluations of the results achieved by applying the technologies proposed by the component activities, in order to quantify the environmental benefits obtained, taking into account the quality of the processes and the end product in connection with the business plans. These aspects would involve:

(a) Hiring impact assessment experts, one for the mid-term stage assessment and the other for the final phase, to perform the impact evaluations and environmental benefits obtained; and

(b) The evaluations will include field visits to the selected sites by the mid-term and final assessment teams. These teams will be composed of environmental experts among others.

(3) Environmental awareness

Improve environmental awareness for the public by conducting training activities, local and regional fora, an environmental awareness-raising process requiring those entities that take part in the project to carry out a positive environmental management process (total quality) on the contents of their processes and end products, with emphasis on aspects that have the greatest impact on the environment, and which will be given greater weight in the selection process.

3. Consultation and Dissemination of the Environmental Risk Mitigation Action Plan

The consultation of the project beneficiaries is being done within the development of the environmental risk mitigation action plan (ERMAP). In order to ensure that the ERMAP reaches the main stakeholders involved, the following dissemination guidelines have been drawn up:

(a) The Plan made publicly available through the Ministry of Agriculture’s website and in the Bank’s Info shop;

(b) Environmental Management Plan will be used in the training process and in the competitive fund activities; and

(c) Environmental Management Plan and compliance will be discussed at events including the Regional Government authorities, local authorities, and representatives of the agencies and institutions of the public and private sector, and at the Local and Regional Fora to be conducted.

PEST MANAGEMENT STRATEGY

The two technical components of this project would include ecologically sound integrated pest management (IPM) strategies since the project environmental assessment (EA) (Leon 2004) identified potential to trigger the Bank’s Pest management policy[2] (OP4.09). According to the EA, a pest management plan was needed in theproject interventions within the production chain approach that would:

(a) Change cultivation and management practices and the use of newly improved cultivars and crops that may have better pest tolerance;

(b) Potential increased use of pesticide with agricultural intensification in both the production and post harvest and marketing sections of the chain; and

(c). Potential use in the livestock-related food sector of: (i) continued use of banned chemicals and pesticides; and (ii) the pesticides that are expected to be gradually replaced.

The project would use the World Bank listings and procedures on “Integrated Pest Management” (IPM) including IPM components (biological control, cultural practices and development of pest resilient or tolerant varieties). If pesticides are to be used, the following criteria (OP 4.09) would be applied, amongst others: (i) pesticides not harmful to human health; (ii) their efficacy against target pest speciesknown; (iii) their effect on non-target species and their habitat should be negligible; (iv) pesticide use taken into account the need to prevent the development of pesticide resilience; (v) pesticide manufacturing, packaging, labeling, storage, disposal and application must be performed according to acceptable standards in force.

The Pest Management Plan (PMP) in preparation will be discussed and finalized at appraisal (see Table A.10.2.1).

The Pest Management Plan (PMP) developed according to the Policy OP4.09 Pest management

Paragraph / Applicable Policy Provisions / How addressed in Pest management Plan / Consistency with Policy OP4.09 Pest management

General

Para 1
(#1) / In assisting borrowers to manage pests that affect either agriculture or public health projects, the Bank supports a strategy that promotes biological or environmental methods of controlling pests and reduces reliance on synthetic chemical pesticides. / The project will involve pest management in agriculture. Through the pest management plan the project will minimize the use of synthetic chemicals, promote preventative measures in pest management and promote integrated pest management approaches. / Consistent
Para 1
(#2) / The borrower addresses pest management issues in the context of the project’s environmental assessment. / Does the EA identify the pest management issues? Their potential impact?
The PMP is outlining the mitigation measures, related capacity building and follow up M & E. / Consistent with the EA
Para 2 / The Bank assesses the capacity of the country’s regulatory framework and institutions to promote and support safe, effective and environmentally sound pest management and incorporates capacity building into project, where necessary. /

The annex on pest management should summarize the regulatory framework and acknowledge country lacks adequate restrictions on the distribution and use of certain pesticides.
The annex on pest management should summarize the institutional setting.
The annex suggests a capacity building program for IPM training.

Consistent; Review at appraisal

Next steps

Will need to review and agree at appraisal the approach for capacity building with special focus on:

Potential increase of pesticide use
Regulatory framework.

Agricultural Pest Management

Para 4
(#1) / For agricultural operations pest populations are normally controlled through an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach such as biological control, cultural practices and the development and use of crop varieties that are resistant or tolerant to the pest. / The project is expected to affect agricultural pest management. The approach taken for the management of pests follows an IPM approach:
(a)Change of management practices and intensification of agriculture will likely result in increased pressure on agricultural lands. Both of these may result in increased pesticide use.
(b) How will this be managed? / Consistent: To be confirmed at appraisal
Next Steps:
Implementation arrangements to be reviewed and confirmed at appraisal.
Para 4
(#2) / The Bank may finance purchase of pesticides when their use is justified under an IPM approach. / Pesticide use directly related to and potentially financed by the project may occur in the project area but will only be justified under the IPM approach and be authorized in accordance with appropriate criteria. / Consistent
Para 6
(#1) / Procurement of a pesticide is contingent on an assessment of associated risks (made in context of project’s EA) taking into account proposed use and the intended users. / The EA should identify the risks associated with pesticide use as they relate to proper choice, dosages, timing and hazards to users, others and the environment.
Para 6
(#2) / The following criteria apply to the selection and use of pesticides: a) have negligible adverse health effects; b) effective against target species, c) minimal effect on non target species and environment, d) takes into account need to prevent development of resistance in pests. / The PMP lists Pesticides acceptable to the project and will use the following decision criteria for choice of active ingredient: low or zero toxicity to fish or aquatic life; short soil persistence; inability to leach from soil; low hazard to user; rapid degradation; and, narrow spectrum of activity for IPM use. / Consistent
Para 7
(#1) / Pesticides must be manufactured, packaged, labeled, handled, stored, disposed of, and applied according to acceptable standards. / PMP indicates that procedures will be developed during implementation. (PMP to state that when pesticides are used, this project will refer to the International Code of Conduct on the Distribution and Use of Pesticides (FAO, 2003) as minimum standards. / Consistent: To be confirmed at appraisal.
Next steps
Implementation schedule to be reviewed and agreed at appraisal.
Para 7
(#2) / Bank does not finance formulated products that fall into WHO Class IA or IB or Class II products if the country lacks adequate restrictions on distribution and use or are likely to be used by, or be accessible to, lay personnel, farmers or others without training, equipment and facilities to handle, store and apply these products properly. / The country lacks adequate restrictions on the distribution and use but the farmers in the project area will be trained and provided equipment to handle, store and apply these products properly. Pesticides acceptable for use in areas where the project has influence will satisfy the following criteria:
(i)Registered in Colombia for the use in question and not in Category (I) WHO list;
(ii)No active ingredients included in Annex A and B of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants.
Category II pesticides can be used in cases where there are proper storage facilities, adequate training, antidote and protective gear. / Consistent: To be confirmed at appraisal
Next stepsImplementation arrangements for provision of training, antidote and protective gear for Class II pesticide use to be reviewed and agreed at appraisal.

The Pest Management Plan (PMP) in preparation will address the following issues while the next steps and the specific activities are described in section 2: