National Implementation Plan for implementation of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants in Fiji Islands.

The National Implementation Plan for implementation of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (NIP) aims at improving the management of POPs and chemicals in the country, in order to protect human health and the environment. This NIP lays down priority targets to: (I) improve management, data collection and control of imported chemicals; (II) eliminate importation and use of Annex A and B chemicals; (III) reduce or eliminate unintentional production and release of Annex C chemicals; (IV) reduce or eliminate stockpiles and wastes containing chemicals listed in Annex A, B, or C; and (V) raise awareness of POPs among policy and decision makers and educate the public on the dangers of POPs and other chemicals to health and the environment.
This NIP reflects the requirements of the Stockholm Convention and addresses the environmental and health effects of POPs in air, land, agriculture, fisheries, forestry, water, food, animals and humans. The most effective strategies will be developed to ensure control of the import and use of all POPs pesticides. Institutional capacity building will be raised for the regulation and management of all pesticides, including POPs. An annual external review mechanism will be developed for the effectiveness of pesticide management and the Pesticides Act will be enforced. The practices for handling, storage, use and disposal of POPs will be improved through training, education and awareness of user groups. The level of information available on pesticide imports will be improved. A comprehensive national inventory of PCBs, PCB containing materials and PCB wastes will be prepared. An inventory of PCB materials and wastes will be conducted and a PCB information database will be developed. A system of safe handling, storage and transport of PCBs, PCB containing materials and PCB wastes will be established and implemented. Guidelines for the storage and safe handling will be enhanced, including transport and disposal of PCB wastes and contaminated material. The import or use of PCBs will be prohibited by reviewing existing regulations and developing legislation, as necessary. All PCBs, PCB containing materials and PCB wastes will be eliminated and destroyed. Existing environmental financing support will be evaluated to support the disposal of PCB wastes. An updated inventory of dioxin and furan releases will be prepared by obtaining best-estimate nationwide activity data and most appropriate emission factors. The monitoring system for agricultural, commercial and other sources will be developed, and Fiji emission standards will be reviewed. BAT/BEP promotion, adoption and monitoring programmes will be developed and implemented to the four significant dioxin and furan sources. Appropriate policies and regulations pertaining to unintentional POPs will be formulated and enforced. Opportunities will be explored to adopt BAT/BEP under the Environmental Impact Assessment system. Measures will be taken to eliminate the dangers of POPs and other chemicals to human health and the environment. Waste management will be strengthened through data collection and monitoring systems and new technology. Detailed assessment of potentially contaminated sites will be conducted and remedial actions will be taken for such sites. Sound management of obsolete and unwanted chemicals will be ensured by constructing of storage facility and developing a system for recording waste stockpiles and their monitoring. Public awareness will be raised on POPs and related hazardous chemicals and their impacts on the environment, food safety, human health and the economy. Information on national POPs and chemical management will be made available to the public.