In 1985, the International Code of Conduct on the Distribution and Use of Pesticides was developed and adopted by all UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) members. The Code represents a wide consensus on pesticide management among governments, industry and non-governmental organizations. In 1989, the Code was amended to include a clause for Prior Informed Consent (PIC), enabling importing countries to decide whether they want to receive banned or severely restricted pesticides. FAO is preparing to review the implementation of the Code. FAO completed a successful project to help 13 Caribbean countries establish simple and effective national pesticide regulation and control schemes. A previous FAO project in the field covered 27 nations in Asia and the Pacific.
The Netherlands uses more pesticides than any other country in the world. A protest has been continuing since 1990 against the use of pesticides in potato farming. In 1993, after a legal challenge, an agreement was reached between protesters and the Dutch organization of potato produces to gradually reduce the use of pesticides and to phase out disease-sensitive potato varieties. The campaign also achieved a threefold increase in the market share of organic potatoes.