This study aims to identify challenges as well as entry points for governments in Southeast Asia and
elsewhere to reduce the risk from agricultural pesticides by comparing levels of pesticide use, pesticide
regulation, and farm-level practices in Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam. We identified three main
challenges to pesticide risk reduction: (a) the rapid expansion of pesticide trade—in terms of total
volume, number of products and number of selling points, combined with a weak regulatory and
enforcement capacity; (b) a high level of satisfaction among farmers with pesticides combined with low
levels of risk awareness, lack of technical know-how about integrated pest management (IPM), and
general unavailability of biocontrol agents; and (c) no regular monitoring of pesticide risk, which makes
it difficult for legislators, regulators, farmers and consumers to make rational decisions. The study
highlights several examples countries can emulate, including the introduction of a pesticide tax in
Vietnam, the pesticide registration system in Thailand, regular training of pesticide retailers in Thailand
and Vietnam, and product certification.