FSC Pesticides Policy

Understanding the Intentions & Proposed Changes

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)'s certification standards include requirements regarding the use of pesticides in forest management activities. FSC’s pesticides policy aims to provide consistent, international guidance for the implementation of these requirements. In a nutshell, the policy can be interpreted as giving forest managers guidance to:

1. First, try not to use pesticides.

2. If you have to use pesticides, not to use the most hazardous ones.

3. Whatever pesticides you do use, to use and dispose of them properly.

Over the last 12 months this policy has been the subject of some intense discussion. Much of the discussion has focused around what pesticides are considered “the most hazardous ones” and therefore restricted for use on FSC-certified lands. This article explains the basis of the policy, clarifies the current debate, and suggests some areas where further development may be useful.