Pesticide Regulation
The Insecticides Act, 1968 and Insecticide Rules, 1971
The Insecticide Act of 1968 governs the import, manufacture, sale, transportation, distribution, and use of pesticides in order to reduce the risk of harm to people or animals, as well as other related issues.
According to Insecticide Act 1968, phase 3 (e), pesticides (including fungicides and weedicides) blanketed withinside the Insecticide Schedules and as according to the session with board (CIB) through notification withinside the Official Gazette, include withinside the Schedule occasionally are allowed to import, manufacture, sell, transport, distribution, and use in India.
The pesticides (which include fungicides and weedicides) which are not blanketed in the Insecticide Schedule are want to be blanketed first withinside the Insecticide Schedule through satisfying the statistics necessities of the agenda inclusion to be use in India.
As according to the phase 36 of the Insecticides Act, 1968 (forty six of 1968), the Central Government, after the session with Central Insecticides Board, made the Insecticide rule.
The Insecticides Rules, 1971 describes the capabilities of the Board (CIB), Registration Committee (RC) and the Central Insecticide Laboratory (CIL).
Pesticide Management Bill 2020
The Pesticide Management Bill is proposed in India and is expected to replace the Insecticides Act of 1968. The Pesticide Management Bill is a new act that has been introduced to regulate the pesticide industry, monitor pesticide poisoning, and compensate victims.
In February 2020, the Union Cabinet of India approves this bill. The Bill has been referred to the Standing Committee on Agriculture for review in June 2021.
The Pesticide Management Bill is still in the works; once approved by the Standing Committee on Agriculture, it will replace the Insecticide Act of 1968.
Highlights of pesticide management bill
- Pesticides will not be registered If the application of pesticides does not comply with the maximum limit for pesticide residue on crops set by the 2006 Food Safety and Standards Act.
- In addition, the Registration Committee (RC) has the authority to start a suo moto review of a pesticide and is required to review registered pesticides on a regular basis.
- The data requirements and guidelines for registration of pesticides under this bill expected to remain unaltered.
- Under the Consumer Protection Act of 1986, a consumer may seek compensation for damage or loss due to any loss or injury in respect of pesticide.
- The imperative authorities will represent a fund to compensate individuals that suffer harm or die due to pesticide poisoning.
- This bill provides the stringent penalties and punishments. The punishment would be giving the fines or jail or both.