Lok Sabha Question No. 4316 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-28
Subject: Use of Methyl Bromide
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: SUSHMITA DEV

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, COOPERATION AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4316

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE  28 TH  MARCH, 2017

## USE OF METHYL BROMIDE

4316.  KUMARI SUSHMITA DEV:

Will  the  Minister  of  AGRICULTURE  AND  FARMERS  WELFARE      ‡ãðŠãäÓã एवं  कसान कयाण ½ãâ¨ããè be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is true that the developing nations had to freeze methyl bromide usage by 2002 at average 1995-98 levels, reduced by 20% by 2005, and complete phase out by 2015, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the extent to which the usage of methyl bromide for fumigation has been phased out since 2013-14, 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-2017 and progress thereafter;
- (c) the details of the usage of methyl bromide for fumigation on pulses imported to India from other countries;
- (d) the  details  of  the  suitable  alternatives  for  the  Indian  quarantine  system  that  is being used instead of methyl bromide; and
- (e) whether  there  are  any  side  effects  of  the  alternatives  used,  if  so  the  details thereof and the measures taken by the Government to combat the effects?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF  STATE IN THE  MINISTRY OF  AGRICULTURE AND  FARMERS  WELFARE

‡ãðŠãäÓã एवं  कसान  कयाण ½ãâ¨ããÊã¾ã  ½ãñâ  Àã·¾ã  ½ãâ¨ããè (  SHRI PARSHOTTAM RUPALA)

- (a): Yes,  Madam. Methyl Bromide is one of the ozone depleting substances. As per Article 5(1) of Montreal Protocol, Methyl bromide use in countries (developing countries) will be frozen in 2002 (based on average 1995-1998 consumption), reduced by 20% in 2005, and phased out in 2015. However, 'Critical uses' of methyl bromide are yet to be fully  defined  under  the  Protocol.  Many  countries,  both  industrialized  and  developing, have committed to phase out methyl bromide well in advance of the Montreal Protocol schedule. Quarantine and Pre-Shipment (QPS) uses are currently exempt from controls under the Montreal Protocol. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change is the nodal organization to monitor Methyl Bromide uses in India.

(b): In India, uses of Methyl Bromide for soil fumigation, etc. is banned and is only used for quarantine and pre shipment phyto-sanitary treatment of agricultural commodities meant for export.

(c): On an average 4.5 to 5.0 Million ton of pulses are imported into India per year. In order to protect the Indian Agriculture from exotic insect/pests, imported pulses are to be  fumigated  with  Methyl  Bromide  @  32gm/cu.mt.  for  24  hours  in  accordance  with import conditions specified under  Plant Quarantine Order, 2003  issued under Destructive Insect and Pests Act, 1914.

(d): The following alternative treatments are being used in Indian quarantine system as per the international standards and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

- i) Hot Water Treatment (HWT) & Vapour Heat Treatment (VHT) -& Irradiation for fresh fruits/vegetables
2. ii) Heat Treatment (HT)- for timber and wooden products
3. iii) Cold Treatment- Fresh Fruits & Vegetables
4. iv) Phosphine Fumigation- For Dry fruits (Almonds, walnut etc).

(e): Methyl  Bromide  is  highly  potent  and  requires  24  hours  duration,  whereas phosphine fumigation requires longer duration of minimum 7-15 days, which may affect the  import/export  trade.  Lethal  effect  of  methyl  bromide  is  on  wide  range  of  pests including Nematodes, whereas phosphine will not be effective against nematodes and egg stages of insects.

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