On February 24, the United Nations (UN) Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the U.N. Environment Program (UNEP) announced that there were enough ratifications to bring into force the Prior Informed Consent (PIC) Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade,

or the "Rotterdam Convention." Jacques Diouf, the FAO's Director-General, explained the purpose of the PIC. "In many developing countries conditions do not allow small farmers to use highly toxic pesticides safely, the result is continued damage to the health of farmers and poisoning of the environment.... The Rotterdam Convention provides countries with a major tool to reduce the risks associated with pesticide use. ... The treaty promotes sustainable agriculture in a safer environment thereby contributing to an increase in agricultural production and supporting the battle against hunger, disease and poverty." The United States has signed the Convention but the Senate has not yet acted on it. Citation: Europe Environment, "Dangerous Substances: Rotterdam Convention Enters Into Force," March 11, 2004; FAO Press Release, Rome/Geneva, Tuesday, February 24, 2004 as quoted in U.S. State Department Press Release of Wednesday, February 25, 2004 (Copyright 2004 Federal Information & News Dispatch, Inc).