China shut down production of dicofol

China’s only dicofol production line of Jiangsu Yangnong Group was closed recently, showing China’s complete shutdown of dicofol production.

Dicofol is an insecticide against acarid in cotton, fruit tree, flower and plant, being very popular among farmers attributable to its good effect and low price. However dicofol’s intermediate DDT residue is harmful to human health and environment, having been included in the POPs in 2001.

Yangnong Group started dicofol production in 1976 with an annual output of 2,000 tons, being one of China’s earliest and largest dicofol producer. In view of its relevance to POPs, Yangnong Group has gradually reduced dicofol production volume since November 2012. In order to perform the duties under the Stockholm Convention on POPs, Yangnong Group has decided to waive its application for exemption and shut down the dicofol production completely.

Stockholm Convention on POPs is an international convention which aims to protect human health and environment from damages caused by POPs. On 23 May 2001, China became one of the first batch of countries to execute the convention, which became effective in China from 11 November 2004. In April 2007, Chinese government approved the National Program for Implementation of the Stockholm Convention on POPs, which contains explicit planning to reduce and phase out dicofol production.