Executive Summary

The three North American countries, Canada, Mexico, and the United States of America, under the auspices of the North American Commission for Environmental Cooperation, (CEC) have recognized that the organochlorine pesticide lindane and other isomers of hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) may constitute a risk to human health and the environment.

The three Parties of the CEC also recognize that lindane and other isomers of HCH meet several internationally accepted criteria for persistence, bioaccumulation factors and toxicity. While lindane is no longer produced in North America, it continues to be used for varying applications and in different quantities in the three countries. Consequently, the Parties, through the development of this trilateral action plan, will reduce the risks from exposure to the various isomers of HCH, and where warranted, eliminate or ban uses of lindane in particular. This will be accomplished through regulatory and management actions, outreach and education efforts, science and research, capacity building, and collaborative cross border activities.

On a regional basis, the three Parties will work together to implement the actions described in this plan. A key recommendation is to establish a tri-lateral implementation task force consisting of national representatives with expertise in the fields of health and environmental aspects of lindane and other HCH isomers, to oversee these activities. In addition, based on information gained through the development of this regional action plan, the Parties will participate in other international initiatives to promote emissions reductions from other global sources of lindane.

On a national basis, each Party will address lindane and other isomers of HCH as indicated in the action plan. As of January 1, 2005, there are no registered agricultural or veterinary uses of lindane in Canada. Canada has agreed to assess and manage risks from its sole remaining use of lindane as a pharmaceutical drug. Canada will address waste management issues, promote science and research, and strengthen outreach and education.

Mexico has agreed to eliminate all agricultural, veterinary, and pharmaceutical uses of lindane through a prioritized, phase-out approach. Reasonable timeframes for a voluntary phase out are currently being negotiated between the Federal Commission for Sanitary Risks Protection, Ministry of Health (COFEPRIS) and industry. Lindane is currently authorized for use in Mexico on livestock, as a seed treatment on six crops, as a flea treatment on domestic animals, and for public health campaigns. Lindane is also authorized for pharmaceutical use to control scabies and lice.

The United States has received requests for voluntary cancellation from all lindane US registrants for all remaining US registrations of lindane pesticide products and plans to accept the producers' voluntary cancellation requests. The United States has reviewed the six remaining lindane seed treatment uses and determined that the remaining uses are not eligible for reregistration.. The United States will facilitate development of alternatives to lindane to treat lice and scabies, and to strengthen awareness raising initiatives regarding the remaining use of lindane as a pharmaceutical drug for Lindane NARAP 5 applications involving children. There are no registered uses of lindane for veterinary purposes in the United States.

The Parties enlisted and received input through a regional task force, from various experts and representatives of indigenous peoples, children's health interests, environmental organizations, and industry in preparing this "North American Regional Action Plan on Lindane and other HCH Isomers." Public meetings were held to solicit additional input and to enlist the aid of experts in toxicology, atmospheric transport, epidemiology, wildlife concerns and indigenous/tribal issues.

Prior to its approval, this plan will have undergone extensive national public and private stakeholder review. This document represents the consensus opinion of the three national governments. It is anticipated that the implementation of this action plan will be conducted in stages with short term, medium term, and long term goals over the next 10 years.