Pesticide Action Network Asia and the Pacific (PAN AP)

Pesticide Action Network Asia and the Pacific (PAN AP) is a regional network of around 150 civil society organisations in 18 countries in the Asia Pacific region concerned with the hazards from pesticides for human health and environment including biodiversity. Presently, the global PAN International network is coordinated through five regional coordinating centres in Africa, Latin America, North America, Europe and Asia. The target groups are mainly agricultural workers, farmers and peasants, with a specific focus on women. PAN AP's specific goal is to protect the safety and health of people and the environment from pesticide use. Currently, PAN AP work is divided in different programme areas:

•  Women in Agriculture Programme
•  Food Sovereignty and Ecological Agriculture Programme
•  Pesticide Programme
•  Campaigns and Media

SwedBio currently supports the project " Ending the Cycle of Poison", during the period January 2006 - December 2007.

The overall goal of the programme is "To contribute to the elimination of health and environmental hazards of pesticides". The long-term objectives of the programme are:

•  Empower communities to tackle the pesticide problem, monitor and take action.

•  Counter the influence of TNCs (Transnational Corporations) to benefit small-scale farmers in developing countries.

•  Contribute to the promotion of biodiversity based ecological, locally appropriate agriculture.

•  Strengthen national and international regulations on pesticides and relevant international instruments.

The programme consists of the four complementing strategies/components:

•  Community Empowerment through Community-based Pesticide Action Monitoring (CPAM)

•  Policy Research and Advocacy

•  Campaigns on Target Pesticides and Companies

•  Institutional and Alliance Building

The programme includes field level work implemented by collaboration partners in ten countries:

• Bangladesh - National/local partners: UBINIG (Policy Research Centre for Development Alternatives) and SHISUK (Shiksha Shastha Unnayan Karzakram).
• India - National/local partners: Thanal Conservation Action and Information Network (THANAL), Society for Rural Education and Development (SRED) and Andhra Pradesh Vyavasaya Vruthidarula Union (APVVU-Agricultural Workers Union).
• Indonesia - National/local partners: Gita Pertiwi, Field Alliance and Perhimpunan Buruh Perkebunan Independen (PERBBUNI).
• Korea - National/local partner: Citizen's Alliance for Consumer Protection (CACPK).
• Malaysia - National/local partner: Tenaganita.
• Mongolia - National/local partner: Center for Human Rights and Development (CHRD).
• Pakistan - National/local partner: KHOJ Research and Publications Centre.
• Philippines - National/local partner: PAN Philippines.
• Sri Lanka - National/local partners: Vikalpani and Community Education Centre (CEC).
• Thailand - National/local partners: Institute for Sustainable Agriculture Community (ISAC) and Sustainable Development Foundation (SDF).