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Pesticide law(PMB 2020) must be comprehensive
−− The Pesticide Management Bill, 2020, is a long overdue law on this critical segment of agriculture, in the making since 2008, to replace the obsolete Insecticides Act, 1968
Feb. 25, 2020
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Globally, India is the fourth-largest producer of pesticides. As a first step, the proposed legislation covers all classes of pesticides, not just insecticides as the current law does.
The Pesticide Management Bill, 2020, is a long overdue law on this critical segment of agriculture, in the making since 2008, to replace the obsolete Insecticides Act, 1968. Taking into account advances in modern pest management science and the ill effects of synthetic pesticides, the Pesticide Management Bill should bring India’s pesticide sector in line with global norms, to some of which India has signed up. The food safety law already has limits on pesticide residue. It would be desirable for the government to subject the Bill to public comment.
The present law addresses manufacturing, sale, import, transport, use and distribution of insecticides. The Bill will cover the life cycle of pesticides from manufacture to disposal and will include regulation of export, packaging, labelling, pricing, storage and advertisement. Penalties on manufacturers for non-compliance with rules and regulations would be stiffer.
An important focus of the Bill is on labelling — manufacturers will be required by law to specify clear and specific information on material and chemical composition, and dosage of use. The labels must carry this information in local language to ensure that farmers are properly informed. This is critical. There is a tendency of overuse of pesticides by farmers, often driven by ignorance.
The Bill should also have provision for technical assistance to farmers on pesticide use from agriculture extension services centres. This is vital for farm exports. Proposals for a pool for compensating farmers might sound good but would diffuse culpability, which must be rigorously established before seeking compensation. Empowering states to set locally relevant norms would be a good idea.
While the Bill is a major step forward, it needs to go beyond regulating chemical pesticides. It must take into account non-synthetic pesticides, including research and development.
Source: The Economic Times
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