OSCE in Moldova, Environment Ministry to remove pesticides from Transdniestria

CHISINAU, 22 February 2013 – A project to safely dispose of some 150 tonnes of obsolete pesticides stored in Transdniestria will start following the signing of an agreement between the OSCE Mission in Moldova and Environment Ministry today. The removal of the pesticides will reduce environmental and health risks to the local population.

The memorandum of understanding was signed by Ambassador Jennifer Brush, the Head of the OSCE Mission to Moldova and Deputy Environment Minister Lazar Chirica.

“Local people will benefit directly from this initiative – the removal of the pesticides will reduce risks to health and life of the population living in Transdniestria. At the same time, such co-operation on both banks of the river will promote sound environmental governance and help build confidence,” said Brush.

The chemicals not only present a threat to the health of the local communities but also place a financial burden on the local authorities responsible for safeguarding, monitoring and maintaining the storage sites.

The agreement on removal of the pesticides came about as a result of the Moldovan and Trandniestrian sides’ working group on agricultural and environmental issues. The Moldovan side offered its co-operation in developing the project for the disposal of the pesticides.