Lok Sabha Question No. 1195 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-09
Subject: Use of Insecticides/Pesticides
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Gowdar Mallikarjunappa Siddeshwara, Bharti Pravin Pawar, Dharambir Singh

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1195

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 9 TH  FEBRUARY, 2021

## USE OF INSECTICIDES/PESTICIDES

1195.     SHRI G.M. SIDDESHWAR: DR. BHARATI PRAVIN PAWAR: SHRI DHARAMBIR SINGH:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंी be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware that the chemicals being used in agriculture causes long term health problems and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  acutely  toxic  organophosphate  insecticides  like  monocrotophos  which  are banned in other countries are still on sale across the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has made any plans to ban the use of chemicals in agriculture;
- (d) if so, the details thereof, and the alternatives to these in case of ban;
- (e) whether the guidelines issued by the Registration committee, which governs the import and production of pesticides, promotes more and more use of fertilizers and if so, whether the Government has raised any objection in this regard; and
- (f) whether the Government has formulated any stringent rules regarding organic farming as  against  the  said  guidelines  which  promotes  the  use  of  fertilizers  and  if  so,  the  details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंी ( SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)

- (a) : Pesticides  are  toxic  substances  which  are  registered  for  use  in  the  country  by  the Registration Committee only after satisfying about their efficacy and safety to human health, animal and environment. The Pesticide may not pose any adverse effect on human beings, animals  and  the  environment  if  they  are  used  as  per  the  label  and  leaflet  approved  by  the Registration Committee.
- (b): The decision to impose restriction of sale and use of pesticides is based on assessment of risk to Human and Animal health. The registration of Monocrotophos pesticide for use in

agriculture in India was subjected to technical reviews in 1993, 1995 and 2005. None of the expert reviews  have  recommended  imposition  of complete ban  on sale and  use  of Monocrotophos  in  agriculture.  The  Central  Government  vide  Notification  S.O.1482(E)  dated 10 th October, 2005 imposed ban on use of Monocrotophos on vegetables with effect from date of publication of order. Though, it is still registered for use in other crops like Cotton, Paddy, Maize, Black gram, Green gram, Red Gram, Sugarcane, Coconut, Citrus, Mango, Coffee and Cardamom.

Further, 12 organophosphate molecules are banned in the Country due to safety issues; however, 21 organophosphates are presently registered in the country on various agricultural crops  as  per  the  label  and  leaflets  approved  by  the  Registration  Committee  after  due examination of their efficacy and safety to human health, animal and environment.

(c) & (d): Registered  Pesticides  are  periodically  reviewed  with  regard  to  their  safety  and efficacy. On receipt of new studies / reports/ references/ information by government from time to time, the review is done by appointing expert committees. Based on the recommendations of such expert committees and after due consultation with Registration Committee, the Ministry of Agriculture has so far banned or phased out 46 pesticides and 4 pesticide formulations for import, manufacture or sale in the country. In addition, 5 banned pesticides are allowed to be manufactured for export only, 8 pesticide registrations have been withdrawn and 9 pesticides have been placed under restricted use.

While banning a pesticide, objections and suggestions received from the stakeholders on  draft  notifications  are  examined  considering  all  aspects  related  to  technical,  scientific requirements, alternatives available, farmer interest, safety, toxicity and efficacy concerns, ban status in other countries, etc. and accordingly a final decision is taken.

(e): The  Registration  Committee  constituted  under  Section  5  of  Insecticide  Act,  1968 registers insecticides after scrutinizing their  formulae and verifying  claims  by the importer or the manufacturer as regards their efficacy and safety to human beings and animals. There are no guidelines of Registration committee which promotes more and more use of insecticides. Insecticide Act, 1968 doesn't regulate fertilizers.

(f): Government of India is promoting Organic/ non-chemical farming in the states through dedicated schemes namely Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) and Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER). Both the schemes aim at promotion of cluster/ Farmers Producers Organization (FPO) based on chemical free low cost suitable organic farming and support farmers from input procurement to market linkages and formation  of  organic  farming  clusters.    Only  organic/bio  inputs  are  allowed  under  Organic farming.

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