Lok Sabha Question No. 195 (STARRED), answered on 2018-07-31
Subject: Use of Chemical Fertilizers and Insecticides
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: RAVINDRA VISHWANATH GAIKWAD

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

## LOK  SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 195

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 31 ST  JULY, 2018

## USE OF CHEMICAL FERTILIZERS AND INSECTICIDES

- *195.   PROF. RAVINDRA VISHWANATH GAIKWAD:

Will  the  Minister  of  AGRICULTURE  AND  FARMERS  WELFARE कृ षि एवं ककसान कल्याण ½ãâ¨ããè be pleased to state:

- (a): whether the Government is aware that chemical fertilizers and insecticides used for increasing agricultural productivity in the country are very hazardous and harmful and if so, the details thereof;
- (b): whether the Government is considering to stop the use of such hazardous chemical fertilizers and insecticides;
- (c): if so, the details thereof; and
- (d): the  steps  being  taken  by  the  Government  to  control  the  use  of  such  hazardous chemical fertilizers and insecticides?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## कृ षि एवं ककसान कल्याण ½ãâ¨ããè

(SHRI RADHA MOHAN SINGH)

- (a) to (d): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (d)  OF  LOK  SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.   195 DUE FOR REPLY ON 31 ST  JULY, 2018.

( a) to (c): The Registration Committee, constituted under Section 5 of the Insecticides  Act,  1968  registers  pesticides  after  considering  its  efficacy  and  safety  to human beings, animals  and  environment.  Pesticides  used  as  per  the  approved  label claims and leaflets are unlikely to cause any harm.  In addition, technical reviews are carried out from time to time to assess the safety of pesticides for their continued use. Based  on  which,  the  Ministry  inter  alia,  has  banned  28  pesticides  and  4  pesticides formulation for manufacture, import and use in the country and restricted the use of 13 pesticides.  The  details  are  at  Annexure  I.  Further,  the  Department  of  Agriculture, Cooperation  and  Farmers  Welfare  (DAC&FW)  had  constituted  an  expert  committee under the Chairmanship of Anupam Verma in July 2013, to review 66 pesticides. The recommendation of the Committee is at Annexure II.  Considering the recommendation of  Expert  Committee  as  accorded  by  the  Registration  Committee,  the  Ministry  of Agriculture  &  Farmers  Welfare  had  invited  objections  and  suggestions  from  the public/stakeholders  on  banning/phasing  out  of  18  pesticides.  The  details  are  at Annexure  III.  In  response  to  which,  the  Ministry  has  received  various  objections  and suggestions. Keeping in view of which, a committee has been constituted to review the received objections and suggestions.

There is no harmful effect of chemical fertilizers with recommended doses and its judicious use on the soil. The Ministry is propagating, inter alia, soil test based balanced and  integrated  nutrient  management  through  conjunctive  use  of  both  inorganic  and organic sources to improve soil health and quality.

-2-

(d): The Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare has established  35  Central  Integrated  Pest  Management  Centres  (CIPMCs)  across  the Country. These CIPMCs, inter alia, conduct Farmers Field Schools (FFSs) to sensitize farmers on Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach, and safe and judicious use of chemical pesticides as a last resort as per approved labels and leaflets. In the last three years, a total of 2045 FFSs have been organized, sensitizing 61350 farmers.

In addition, the Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare has established National Institute of Plant Health Management (NIPHM) as an autonomous body.  The  National  Institute  of  Plant  Health  Management  is  mandated  to  promote environmentally sustainable Plant Health Management  practices in diverse and changing  agro-climatic  conditions,  Bio  security  &  Incursion  Management  through capacity building programmes for farmers and State Agriculture/Extension functionaries.

Furthermore,  the  State  Governments  through  various  forums  such  as  Zonal Conferences and National Conference are requested to exhort their extension functionaries to educate and impart training to farmers on efficacious and sustainable pest management strategies and approaches.

The Ministry has initiated Soil Health Card Scheme in 2015. These Soil Heath Cards  provides  information  to  farmers  on  nutrient  status  of  their  soil  along  with recommendation  on  appropriate  dosage  of  nutrients  for  improving  soil  health  and  its fertility.  In  addition,  under  Soil  Health  Management  Scheme,  financial  assistance  is provided to the States for setting up of mechanized fruit/vegetable market waste/agrowaste compost production unit and also for state of art liquid/carrier based bio fertilizer production units.

## LIST OF PESTICIDES WHICH ARE BANNED, REFUSED REGISTRATION AND RESTRICTED IN USE

I. PESTICIDES / FORMULATIONS BANNED IN INDIA

| Pesticides Banned for manufacture, import and use.                                        | Pesticides Banned for manufacture, import and use.                                        |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 1.                                                                                        | Aldicarb                                                                                  |
| 2.                                                                                        | Aldrin                                                                                    |
| 3.                                                                                        | Benzene Hexachloride                                                                      |
| 4.                                                                                        | Calcium Cyanide                                                                           |
| 5.                                                                                        | Chlorbenzilate                                                                            |
| 6.                                                                                        | Chlordane                                                                                 |
| 7.                                                                                        | Chlorofenvinphos                                                                          |
| 8.                                                                                        | Copper Acetoarsenite                                                                      |
| 9.                                                                                        | Dibromochloropropane                                                                      |
| 10.                                                                                       | Dieldrin                                                                                  |
| 11.                                                                                       | Endrin                                                                                    |
| 12.                                                                                       | Ethyl Mercury Chloride                                                                    |
| 13.                                                                                       | Ethyl Parathion                                                                           |
| 14.                                                                                       | Ethylene Dibromide (EDB)                                                                  |
| 15.                                                                                       | Heptachlor                                                                                |
| 16.                                                                                       | Lindane (Gamma-HCH)                                                                       |
| 17.                                                                                       | Maleic Hydrazide                                                                          |
| 18.                                                                                       | Menazon                                                                                   |
| 19.                                                                                       | Metoxuron                                                                                 |
| 20.                                                                                       | Nitrofen                                                                                  |
| 21.                                                                                       | Paraquat Dimethyl Sulphate                                                                |
| 22.                                                                                       | Pentachloro Nitrobenzene (PCNB)                                                           |
| 23.                                                                                       | Pentachlorophenol                                                                         |
| 24.                                                                                       | Phenyl Mercury Acetate                                                                    |
| 25.                                                                                       | Sodium Methane Arsonate                                                                   |
| 26.                                                                                       | Tetradifon                                                                                |
| 27.                                                                                       | Toxaphene (Camphechlor)                                                                   |
| 28.                                                                                       | Trichloro acetic acid (TCA)                                                               |
| Pesticide formulations banned for import, manufacture and use                             | Pesticide formulations banned for import, manufacture and use                             |
| 1.                                                                                        | Carbofuron 50% SP                                                                         |
| 2.                                                                                        | Methomyl 12.5% L                                                                          |
| 3.                                                                                        | Methomyl 24% formulation                                                                  |
| 4.                                                                                        | Phosphamidon 85% SL                                                                       |
| Pesticide / Pesticide formulations banned for use but continued to manufacture for export | Pesticide / Pesticide formulations banned for use but continued to manufacture for export |
| 1.                                                                                        | Captafol 80% Powder                                                                       |
| 2.                                                                                        | Nicotin Sulfate                                                                           |

Contd…

## II.PESTICIDES REFUSED REGISTRATION

|   S.No. | Name of the Pesticides     |
|---------|----------------------------|
|       1 | 2,4, 5-T                   |
|       2 | Ammonium Sulphamate        |
|       3 | Azinphos Ethyl             |
|       4 | Azinphos Methyl            |
|       5 | Binapacryl                 |
|       6 | Calcium Arsenate           |
|       7 | Carbophenothion            |
|       8 | Chinomethionate (Morestan) |
|       9 | Dicrotophos                |
|      10 | EPN                        |
|      11 | Fentin Acetate             |
|      12 | Fentin Hydroxide           |
|      13 | Lead Arsenate              |
|      14 | Leptophos (Phosvel)        |
|      15 | Mephosfolan                |
|      16 | Mevinphos (Phosdrin)       |
|      17 | Thiodemeton / Disulfoton   |
|      18 | Vamidothion                |

## III.PESTICIDES RESTRICTED FOR USE IN THE COUNTRY

|   S.No. | Name of the Pesticides   | Details of Restriction                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           |
|---------|--------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|       1 | Aluminium Phosphide      | The Pest Control Operations with Aluminium Phosphide may be undertaken only by Govt./Govt. undertakings / Govt. Organizations / pest control operators under the strict supervision of Govt. Experts or experts whose expertise is approved by the Plant Protection Advisor to Govt. of India except Aluminium Phosphide 15 %12 g tablet and Aluminum Phosphide 6 %tablet. [RC decision circular F No. 14-11(2)-CIR-II (Vol. II) dated 21-09- 1984 and G.S.R. 371(E) dated 20 th may 1999]. 1 Decision of 282 nd RC held on 02-11-2007 and, 2 Decision of 326 th RC held on 15-02- 2012. The production, marketing and use of Aluminium Phosphide tube packs with a capacity of 10 and 20 tablets of 3 g each of Aluminium Phosphide are banned completely .(S.O.677 (E) dated 17 th July, 2001) |
|       2 | Captafol                 | The use of Captafol as foliar spray is banned. Captafol shall be used only as seed dresser. (S.O.569 (E) dated 25 th July, 1989) The manufacture of Captafol 80 % powder for dry seed treatment (DS) is banned for use in the country except manufacture for export. (S.O.679 (E) dated 17 th July, 2001)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
|       3 | Cypermethrin             | Cypermethrin 3 % Smoke Generator, is to be used only through Pest Control Operators and not allowed to be used by the General Public. [Order of Hon,ble High Court of Delhi in WP(C) 10052 of 2009 dated 14-07-2009 and LPA-429/2009 dated 08-09-2009]                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           |
|       4 | Dazomet                  | The use of Dazomet is not permitted on Tea. (S.O.3006 (E) dated 31 st Dec, 2008)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |

|   5 | Diazinon                                | Diazinon is banned for use in agriculture except for household use. (S.O.45 (E) dated 08 th Jan, 2008)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |
|-----|-----------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|   6 | Dichloro Diphenyl Trichloroethane (DDT) | The use of DDT for the domestic Public Health Programme is restricted up to 10,000 Metric Tonnes per annum, except in case of any major outbreak of epidemic. M/s Hindustan Insecticides Ltd., the sole manufacturer of DDT in the country may manufacture DDT for export to other countries for use in vector control for public health purpose. The export of DDT to Parties and State non-Parties shall be strictly in accordance with the paragraph 2(b) article 3 of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs). (S.O.295 (E) dated 8 th March, 2006) Use of DDT in Agriculture is withdrawn. In very special circumstances warranting the use of DDT for plant protection work, the state or central Govt. may purchase it directly from M/s Hindustan Insecticides Ltd. to be used under expert Governmental supervision. (S.O.378 (E) dated 26 th May, 1989) |
|   7 | Fenitrothion                            | The use of Fenitrothion is banned in Agriculture except for locust control in scheduled desert area and public health. (S.O.706 (E) dated 03 rd May, 2007)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
|   8 | Fenthion                                | The use of Fenthion is banned in Agriculture except for locust control, household and public health. (S.O.46 (E) dated 08 th Jan, 2008)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |
|   9 | Methoxy Ethyl Mercuric Chloride (MEMC)  | The use of MEMC is banned completely except for seed treatment of potato and sugarcane. (S.O.681 (E) dated 17 th July, 2001)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |
|  10 | Methyl Bromide                          | Methyl Bromide may be used only by Govt./Govt. undertakings/Govt. Organizations / Pest control operators under the strict supervision of Govt. Experts or Experts whose expertise is approved by the Plant Protection Advisor to Govt. of India. [G.S.R.371 (E) dated 20 th May, 1999 and earlier RC decision]                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |
|  11 | Methyl Parathion                        | Methyl Parathion 50 % EC and 2% DP formulations are banned for use on fruits and vegetables. (S.O.680 (E) dated 17 th July, 2001) The use of Methyl Parathion is permitted only on those crops approved by the Registration Committee where honeybees are not acting as a pollinator. (S.O.658 (E) dated 04 th Sep., 1992.)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |
|  12 | Monocrotophos                           | Monocrotophos is banned for use on vegetables. (S.O.1482 (E) dated 10 th Oct, 2005)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
|  13 | Sodium Cyanide                          | The use of Sodium Cyanide shall be restricted for Fumigation of Cotton bales under expert supervision approved by the Plant Protection Advisor to Govt. of India. (S.O.569(E) dated 25 th July, 1989)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |

## RECOMMENDATION  OF  THE  EXPERT  COMMITTEE  WITH  RESPECT  TO  66 PESTICIDES

|   S. No. | Category                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |   No. of Pesticides | Name of the Pesticides                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |
|----------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|        1 | I - to be continued                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |                  18 | Aluminium phosphide, Bifenthrin, Carbosulfan, Chlorfenapyr, Chlorothalonil, Dazomet, Diflubenzuron, Ethofenprox, Fenpropathrin, Iprodione, Kasugamycin, Mepiquat chloride, Metaldehyde, Paraquat dichloride, Pretilachlor, Propargite, Propineb and Zinc phosphide                                         |
|        2 | II - to be reviewed again in 2018, after completion of the recommended studies                                                                                                                                                                                    |                  27 | Acephate, Atrazine, Benfuracarb, Butachlor, Captan, Carbendazim, Carbofuran, Chlorpyriphos, Deltamethrin, Dicofol, Dimethoate, Dinocap, Diuron, 2,4-D, Malathion, Mancozeb, Methomyl, Monocrotophos, Oxyfluorfen, Pendimethalin, Quinalphos, Sulfosulfuron, Thiodicarb, Thiophanate methyl, Thiram, Zineb, |
|        3 | III - to be phased out by 2020  No new certificate of registration to manufacture shall be issued after December 2017  No person shall import, manufacture or formulate w.e.f. 1 st January 2019  The use shall be completely banned w.e.f.31 st December 2020 |                   6 | Alachlor, Dichlorvos, Phorate, Phosphamidon, Triazophos, Trichlorfon                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
|        4 | IV - ban to be continued                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |                   1 | Fenitrothion                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |
|        5 | V - it's use to be completely banned.                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |                  13 | Benomyl, Carbaryl, DDT Diazinon, Fenarimol, Fenthion, Linuron, MEMC, Methyl Parathion, Sodium Cyanide, Thiometon, Tridemorph, Trifluralin                                                                                                                                                                  |
|        6 | VI - not reviewed as it is sub- judice                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |                   1 | Endosulfan                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |

Annexure- III

NAMES OF THE PESTICIDES IN THE NOTIFICATION S.O.4212 (E)

|   S.No. | Name             |
|---------|------------------|
|       1 | Benomyl          |
|       2 | Carbaryl         |
|       3 | Diazinon         |
|       4 | Fenarimol        |
|       5 | Fenthion         |
|       6 | Linuron          |
|       7 | MEMC             |
|       8 | Methyl Parathion |
|       9 | Sodium Cyanide   |
|      10 | Thiometon        |
|      11 | Tridemorph       |
|      12 | Trifluralin      |
|      13 | Alachlor         |
|      14 | Dichlorvos       |
|      15 | Phorate,         |
|      16 | Phosphamidon     |
|      17 | Triazophos       |
|      18 | Trichlorfon      |

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