India’s agricultural landscape is intricately tied to the use of pesticides, essential for safeguarding crop yields against pests and diseases. However, the unchecked use of these chemicals poses significant environmental and health risks. To address these concerns, India has been refining its pesticide regulatory regime, notably through the introduction of the Pesticides Management Bill in 2020. Spearheaded by the Anupam Verma Committee, this legislative framework aims to enhance oversight, streamline registration processes, and enforce stringent safety standards across the pesticide industry. As India navigates the delicate balance between agricultural productivity and environmental sustainability, the Pesticides Management Bill stands as a pivotal milestone in shaping a more responsible and effective approach to pesticide management in the country.
- India currently maintains a registry comprising 295 pesticides and 746 approved formulations.
- These pesticides undergo registration by the Registration Committee (RC), while the Central Insecticides Board (CIB) serves as an advisory entity.
- Governed by the Insecticides Act of 1968 and the Insecticides Rules of 1971, these regulatory frameworks aim to oversee the import, manufacture, sale, transport, distribution, and utilization of insecticides, with the primary objective of preventing risks to human beings or animals.
- Since its establishment, the CIBRC (collectively referred to as such) has been responsible for registering pesticides, a process initiated upon receipt of applications from companies, accompanied by efficacy, toxicity, and safety data.
- The Ministry of Agriculture holds the authority to revoke registrations, permit ongoing use, or, in certain instances, impose bans on pesticides based on recommendations from the RC.
PESTICIDES MANAGEMENT BILL 2020
- Pesticide Data Transparency: The bill seeks to empower farmers by providing comprehensive information about the strengths, weaknesses, risks, and alternatives associated with various pesticides. This information will be openly available in digital format and in multiple languages, ensuring accessibility for all farmers.
- Compensation Mechanism: A notable aspect of the bill is its provision for compensating farmers in the event of losses due to the use of counterfeit or substandard pesticides. If necessary, a central fund will be established to manage these compensations, ensuring prompt redressal for affected farmers.
- Promotion of Organic Pesticides: The bill also aims to encourage the adoption of organic pesticides, promoting sustainable and environmentally friendly agricultural practices.
- Registration of Pesticide Manufacturers: Under the proposed legislation, all pesticide manufacturers will be required to register and comply with the new regulatory framework once the bill is enacted. Furthermore, the bill will regulate pesticide advertisements to prevent confusion or deceptive practices by manufacturers.
2020 Draft Ban Order Notification
- In May 2020, the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare issued a notification presenting a draft ban order proposing the prohibition of 27 pesticides in India.
- Among these pesticides, several fall under the WHO Class I category, labeled as ‘extremely hazardous’ or ‘highly hazardous’. Some are identified as probable human carcinogens, while others are documented for their toxicity to bees, fish, earthworms, and other organisms.
- Many of these pesticides have been implicated in fatal cases of pesticide poisonings, whether occupational or accidental.
- Interestingly, 24 out of the 27 pesticides proposed for banning are already prohibited in other countries.
Background:
A significant number of the pesticides listed were previously reviewed by the Anupam Verma Committee in 2015, which identified them as potentially ban-worthy substances. Despite this, the Department of Chemicals & Petrochemicals, influenced by industry interests, cited the Covid-19 pandemic as a reason for delaying the implementation of the draft ban order.
Notable Pesticides in the List:
- Some of the pesticides listed in the draft ban order are known carcinogens, such as Oxyflourfen and Pendimethalin, which are associated with thyroid follicular cell adenoma. Others, like Dicofol, Carbofuran, and Oxyflourfen, are recognized as endocrine disruptors. Additionally, certain pesticides, including Carbofuran, Monocrotophos, and Oxyflourfen, have been identified as eco-toxic substances.
Deemed to be Registered Pesticides (DRPs):
- DRPs refer to pesticides that were in use before the implementation of the Insecticides Act of 1968.
- These pesticides could be used under the assumption that they would eventually be registered once data on efficacy and toxicity were generated.
- However, there is limited transparency regarding the list of DRPs, with only 51 identified so far.
- Among these, six have been withdrawn, eight banned, and five slated for phase-out by the end of 2020.
- Importantly, 17 of the 27 pesticides proposed for banning are DRPs.
- Despite this classification, the biosafety data for these DRPs was never thoroughly assessed, and the review committee reports remain undisclosed.
- Moreover, attempts to access this information through the Right to Information (RTI) have been unsuccessful.
- These pesticides continue to be considered registered, regardless of the data submitted.
- This regulatory practice stands in stark contrast to international standards, as many of these DRPs have been banned in other countries, some even decades ago.
FAQs – Pesticides Regulatory Regimes in India
1-What is the current status of pesticides regulation in India?
A: India maintains a registry of 295 pesticides and 746 approved formulations governed by the Insecticides Act of 1968 and the Insecticides Rules of 1971. The Registration Committee (RC) oversees registration, while the Central Insecticides Board (CIB) provides advisory support.
2-What is the purpose of India’s pesticides regulatory frameworks?
A: The regulatory frameworks aim to oversee the import, manufacture, sale, transport, distribution, and utilization of insecticides, with a primary objective of preventing risks to human beings or animals.
3-What is the Pesticides Management Bill 2020, and what are its key provisions?
A: The bill aims to provide comprehensive information about pesticides to empower farmers, establish a compensation mechanism for losses due to counterfeit or substandard pesticides, promote organic pesticides, regulate pesticide manufacturers, and control pesticide advertisements.
4-What was the significance of the 2020 Draft Ban Order Notification?
A: The notification proposed the prohibition of 27 pesticides in India, many of which are classified as ‘extremely hazardous’ or ‘highly hazardous’ by the WHO. These pesticides have been implicated in fatal cases of pesticide poisonings and are already banned in other countries.
5-Why were the pesticides proposed for banning considered significant?
A: Some of the pesticides listed in the draft ban order are known carcinogens, endocrine disruptors, or eco-toxic substances, posing risks to human health and the environment. Additionally, a significant number of these pesticides are deemed to be registered despite limited transparency and incomplete assessment of their biosafety data.
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