Lok Sabha Question No. 858 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-01
Subject: Use of Dangerous Chemicals in Cultivation of Fruits and Vegetables
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: CHANDRAKANT BHAURAO KHAIRE

O.I.H

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

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.858

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 1 ST  MARCH, 2016

## USE OF DANGEROUS CHEMICALS IN CULTIVATION OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES

858.       SHRI CHANDRAKANT KHAIRE:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ षि एवं ककसान कल्याण मंत्री be pleased to state:

- (a) whether there are reports that some dangerous chemicals have been used for increasing the weight and size of fruits and vegetables;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto; and
- (c) the action taken by the Government to detect and check the use of harmful chemicals in the cultivation of fruits and vegetables?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

कृ षि एवं ककसान कल्याण मंत्राऱय में राज्य मंत्री (DR. SANJEEV KUMAR BALYAN)

- (a) & (b):             Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare  is implementing a program for 'Monitoring  of  Pesticide  Residues  at  National  Level'  (MPRNL)    under  which  samples  of vegetable  and fruits  are  collected  and  analyzed  for  the  presence  of  pesticide  residues.    The annual report of MPRNL for 2014-15 shows that 1.78% and 2.88% samples of all the fruits and vegetables analysed respectively contained  pesticide residues above the Maximum Residues Limits fixed  by  the  Food  Safety  and  Standards  Authority  of India (FSSAI). To prevent  use  of harmful colours and chemicals on fruits and vegetables, provision has been made in the subregulation 2.3.6 of  Food  Safety and  Standards  (Prohibition and  restrictions on sales) Regulations - 2011 by which

' The Fresh Fruits  and  Vegetables  shall  be  free  from  rotting  and  free  from  coating  of  waxes, mineral  oil  and  colours.    Provided  that  fresh  fruits  may  be  coated  with  bees  wax  (white  and yellow) or carnauba wax or shellac wax at level not  exceeding Good Manufacturing Practices under  proper  label  declaration  as  provided  in  Regulation  2.4.5  (44)  of  Food  Safety  and Standards (Packaging and Labelling) regulations, 2011'.

Further,  Pesticides  are  registered by  the  Registration  Committee  constituted  under the provision  of  the  Insecticides  Act,  1968,  only  after  establishing  safety  to  human,  animal  and environmental health. Technical reviews are carried out from time to time and continued use of pesticides is permitted only if such pest control chemicals are found safe.

(c): Violation  of  conditions  laid  out  under  the  said  Regulations,  attract  penal  action  under Food  Safety  and  Standards  Act,  2006.    Enforcement  of  the  provisions  of  the  Act  and Regulations is primarily the responsibility of States/ UTs. The annual reports of the MPRNL are being shared with all State Government to help. In addition , the Central Govt. through Central Integrated Pest Management Centres of Directorate of Plant Protection Quarantine and Storage as  well  as  State  Departments  of  Agriculture  conduct  Farmers  Field  Schools  and  awareness campaigns  to  sensitize  farmers  regarding  safe  and    judicious  use  of  pesticides,  use  of  biopesticides/ bio-fertilizers etc.

A  'Grow  Safe  Food'  campaign  has  been  initiated  to  carry  the  message  of  safe  and judicious use of pesticides to farmers and other stakeholders.

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