The World Bank Operational Manual on pest management defines the criteria for pesticide selection and use. In Bank-financed agriculture operations, pest populations are normally controlled through IPM approaches, such as biological control, cultural practices, and the development and use of crop varieties that are resistant or tolerant to the pest. Pesticides used in projects financed by the World Bank (WB) must have negligible adverse human health effects. The WB does not finance formulated products that fall into WHO class Ia and Ib, or formulations of products in class II (e.g. paraquat), if (a) the country lacks restrictions on their distribution and use; or (b) they are likely to be used by, or be accessible to, lay personnel, farmers, or others without training, equipment, and facilities to handle, store, and apply these products properly. This criterion would not prohibit but certainly restrict the use of paraquat in World Bank financed projects.

The technical background regarding the selection and procurement of pesticides provided by the Worldbank clarifies that Paraquat are excluded from Bank financing: "The products on the "Dirty Dozen List" are excluded from Bank financing because they do not meet the selection criteria of OP 4.09."

Selection and Procurement of Pesticides