AgroPages-China’s MARA optimizes pesticide-related administrative approval services-Agricultural news

By Think Real - On 20 February, 2020, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of the People’s Republic of China (MARA) issued four policy measures to improve pesticide-related administrative approval services, help enterprises to cope with the impact of COVID-19 epidemic and promote the stable and healthy development of the country’s pesticide industry.

1. Open a green channel for application to accelerate the registration process of key pesticide products.

Application for registering pesticides used on special minor crops, biopesticides, pesticides served as substitutes for highly toxic ones, and products for controlling fall armyworms (Spodoptera frugiperda) will be given priority in terms of technical review and administrative approval in order to speed up the whole registration process.

2. Allow extended application for renewal of pesticide registration and extend the validity of pesticide registration license.

Applicants that fail to deliver forms of application for renewal of registration and other relevant documents in time due to the impact of COVID-19 epidemic will be allowed to apply for an extension to finish the renewal by filing an application for extension and a letter of commitment for the validity of relevant documents online. The MARA will arrange examination of such materials and issued notification of the results. If approved, the applicants could go through the procedures for registration renewal at a future date when the epidemic fades away.

3. Optimize services for export administration to promote pesticide export.

The process of application for customs notification for export product release will be cut short to lower enterprises’ cost and support their exploration in the overseas market.

4. Optimize online application channel and minimize people gathering.

The Governmental Affairs Service Platform subordinated to the MARA will be improved to realize classified query about service guides for different events to be handled, application for online processing after registration, filing electronic form of application online, and reporting events for administrative approval. If paper documents are required, applicants are encouraged to deliver by mail to avoid people exchange gathering at the maximum.