The OECD Pesticides Programme was created in 1992 to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of pesticide regulation. The programme deals with both chemical pesticides (insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, etc.) and biological pesticides (bacteria, viruses, and predatory insects) used in agriculture. OECD work concerning antimicrobial pesticides or non-agricultural pesticides (e.g. disinfectants, antifoulants) is managed by the Biocides Programme . The Pesticide Programme supports three objectives, to:

1) help OECD governments share the work of pesticide registration and re-registration, as the same pesticides are often used in many countries,

2) harmonise the data and methods used to test and assess pesticide risks, so as to help governments work together and improve the quality of the data and the rigour of the assessments,

3) help OECD governments reduce the risks associated with pesticide use, through a variety of actions to supplement pesticide registration and further reduce the risks that may result even when registered pesticides are used properly.

The program is directed by the Working Group on Pesticides (WGP), which is composed primarily of representatives of the 30 OECD governments but also includes representatives of the European Commission and other international organisations, the pesticide industry, and the environmental community.   Broad oversight and co-ordination with other parts of the OECD Chemicals Programme is carried out by the Joint Meeting of the Chemicals Committee and the Working Party on Chemicals, Pesticides and Biotechnology

The WGP is supported by the OECD Secretariat in Paris and three Steering Groups: Registration, Risk Reduction and Biological Pesticides.

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