National Implementation Plan for the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants.

This National Implementation Plan (NIP) for management of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) represents the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines’ commitment to remain complaint with the obligations of the 2001 Stockholm Convention on POPs; reduce and eventually eliminate the unintentional release of POPs, even considering that the country does not produce any of the group of POPs chemicals under the Convention’s control; protect human health and the environment, from the major threats posed by POPs, including their accumulation in the food chain. Specifically, this NIP provides for: identifying and implementing measures to reduce or eliminate releases from intentional and unintentional production and use; establishing a register of specific exemptions; identifying and implementing measures to reduce or eliminate releases from stockpiles and wastes; developing a Plan for the implementation of the obligations under the Convention; submitting proposals for listing of chemicals; undertaking exchange of information relevant to the reduction or elimination or production, use and release of POPs, and exchanging information regarding alternatives to POPs; facilitating awareness among stakeholders and decision makers; undertaking appropriate research, development, monitoring and cooperation pertaining to POPs.
Concerning national priorities, the NIP focuses on: POPs production from anthropogenic sources, such as waste incinerators, combustion of fossil fuels, residential combustion sources; country’s exposure to pesticides, and residues of Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). The NIP defines the following Strategy and Action Plan elements: institutional strengthening in the field of chemicals management; ensuring a reasonable level of food security; raising awareness on hazardous and chemical waste management; assessment and management of risks associated with existing stockpiles; development of specific legislation on management of chemicals and hazardous waste. The NIP addresses the country issues, by setting specific targets within the period 2015 to 2025, and specifies the following objectives: eliminating the importation and use of specific POPs Pesticides, PCBs and equipment containing PCBs; managing identified contaminated sites; facilitating and promoting a system for information exchange, in order to allow the country to be compliant with the obligations of the Convention; monitoring implementation of Convention in the country.