National Implementation Plan (NIP) Update for the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) for Belize.

The National Implementation Plan for the management of Persistent Organic Pollutants lays down actions for the management, phase-out and elimination of POPs to protect public health and the environment. The timeframe of this NIP is 5 years between 2020 and 2025. The national POPs management priorities are: (I) strengthening of the Stockholm Convention Focal Point; (II) development or update of specific (existing) legislation/legal instruments on sound management of chemicals and hazardous waste; (III) education, and awareness-raising on chemicals management issues including hazardous and chemical waste; (IV) improvement of waste management and introduction of waste hierarchy towards a circular economy and reduction of unintentionally formed POPs from open burning; (V) assessment, management and remediation of contaminated sites; (VI) monitoring of POPs, initiating research and collaborations; (VII) management of POPs stockpiles, waste and articles in use, and appropriate measures for disposal; (VIII) update and refining of inventories of POPs; (IX) assessment of alternatives to POPs; and (X) technical and financial assistance.
The Chemicals Management Unit will be established within the Department of Environment. Existing legal framework will be strengthened to include the management of POPs, improve their effectiveness in eliminating the use of POPS chemicals and to remove any conflicts that may hinder the implementation of the Stockholm Convention. The current use of POPs will be assessed and releases and use of POPs will be reduced and eliminated. The inventory of Annex A and B chemicals imported in Belize, particularly POP- PBDEs, will be updated. Public awareness will be raised on POPs pesticides to combat adverse effects and information will be disseminated to all groups, including women and children particularly those who are working in agriculture. Farmers will be educated on pesticides, highly hazardous pesticides, counterfeit pesticides and the use of integrated pest management and organic farming. Ecologically sound measures will be undertaken to eliminate obsolete POP pesticides. A strategy will be developed to prevent the accumulation of obsolete POPs pesticides. The handling, storage, transfer and disposal of POPs pesticides and POPs pesticides wastes will be improved. Proper POPs, highly hazardous pesticides and waste pesticide storages will be established. Capacity building will be strengthened to address emergencies and disasters relative to POPs pesticides and highly hazardous pesticides. POPs pesticides contaminated sites will be identified and the level of contamination of soil and ground water and potential receptors will be monitored. Research will be conducted to assess the use of alternatives as a measure for reducing the use of POPs pesticides and highly hazardous pesticides. The most sustainable alternative chemicals and non- chemical solutions will be selected in the different applications and good agricultural practices, organic farming and integrated pest management will be promoted. A pesticide monitoring programme will be established to monitor their impacts on food, soils/contaminated sites, water, and consumers. The knowledge, capacity, tools and indicators will be developed to better assess the risks and socio-economic impact of POPs and highly hazardous pesticides.
The various aspects of PCB management particularly import, export, use and restriction, and protection of health in general will be defined and addressed within the existing legislation. An inventory of equipment, accessories and articles consisting, containing or contaminated with PCBs will be conducted. The use of Best Available Techniques and Best Environmental Practices will be promoted for the recycling and waste disposal of articles containing POP-PBDEs and for the production and use of HBCD. Standardized integrated vector management control schemes will be evaluated to determine their effectiveness in the Belize context. The efficacy and appropriateness of alternatives to DDT will be monitored for disease prevention and control. The Hazardous Waste Regulations will be reviewed and possible confiscation/illegal imports, storage or disposal of PFOS will be incorporated into law. Illegal dumpsites will be closed and proper assessments will be conducted for siting of new dumpsites in rural areas. Best water quality techniques will be identified to test for PFOS in water sources. A criteria will be established for assessment and selection of exemptions for chemicals listed under Annex A or B. The policy and legal framework will be developed for the management of unintentional POPs and other hazardous waste. Emission standards or limits will be developed for unintentional POPs. Measures will be taken to reduce and minimize release dioxins/furans and other unintentional POPs from waste incinerators.