Addressing an inception workshop titled 'Bangladesh: Preparation of the POPs National Implementation Plan under the Stockholm Convention", the ministers and policymakers said toxic chemicals are being used in the country for decades mainly for food production.

So alternatives to harmful pesticides and chemical fertilisers are a must to discourage the stakeholders from using toxic chemicals, they added.

Bangladesh is one of the 120 signatory countries in Stockholm Convention on POPs, and took up a project at a cost of Tk 4 crore to phase out the POPs with the financial assistance of the Global Environment Facility (GEF).

Department of Environment has been selected as the executing agency of the project while Department of Agricultural Extension and Bangladesh Power Development Board will act as co-implementing agency.

The Stockholm Convention has identified 12 POPs, popularly known as "dirty dozen". Nine of the POPs including DDT, endrin and dieldrin started to arrive in the market as pesticides since 50s. Besides, some are industrial chemicals like PCBs used in electric transformer and capacitors.

Speaking as chief guest, Environment and Forest Minister Tariqul Islam asked all concerned for a massive study before allowing the import of anything because the chemical items, now found containing POPs, were imported in 50s without thinking about future consequences.

"Countries like Bangladesh need enhancement of food production in limited land to cope with the population growth. So the demand for chemical fertilisers and pesticides is being increased day by day. But at the same time, harmful toxic substances are entering the human body through the food chain," he added.

Tariqul said pesticides and chemical fertilisers are being used in the country for decades and it would not be possible to stop their use by imposing a mere ban on them because there is no substitute for them.

He said people are habituated with the toxic chemicals as fertilisers and pesticides, and are not aware of their harmful effects.

"We will not achieve anything if we try to implement the programmes in the way the developed countries resolve their problems because they have less population and huge resources," he added.

"So think everything from our own perspectives before taking up any project," the minister suggested.

Presided over by Environment and Forest Secretary Syed Tanbir Hossain, the workshop was addressed by State Minister for Agriculture Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, State Minister for Environment Jafrul Islam Chowdhury, Secretary of the Power Division SM Shamsul Alam, Director General of the Department of Environment M Ibrahim Hossain and National Project Director of POP QSI Hashmi.