Malta this week joins other countires around the world to mark Pesticide Action Week, an annual event aimed at promoting alternatives to pesticides.

The campaign takes place during the first 10 days of spring when the use of pesticides usually resumes.

Started in 2006 by the French organisation Générations Futures, the event now takes place in over 16 countries worldwide.

The ninth edition will take place from Thursday to March 30. Participants at the event will be better informed about the health and environmental challenges pesticides cause and about possible alternatives to them.

The events are aimed to raise awareness on the health and environment risks of synthetic pesticides, to highlight and promote alternative solutions and to build a global grassroots movement for a pesticide-free world.

The first scheduled event in Malta is on Friday, hosted by the Slow Food Movement. The documentary Vanishing of the Bee will be screened, followed by a discussion at Margo’s at Mistra Bay, St Paul’s Bay.

Members of the public, teachers, associations, companies and local councils are encouraged to organise their own events between Thursday and March 30.

www.pesticideactionweek.org