Regular Update
ATM News Network: Central government has decided to make registration of technical grade pesticides mandatory. Experts in the agrochemical sector have suggested that the move by the government will help to boost the sector. It will encourage to set up new manufacturing plants in India to manufacture technical grade pesticides and formulation products.
Granting registration for import of finished pesticide formulations without registration of technical grade products in India was increasing the monopoly of importers and exploiting farmers. All major agricultural countries including USA, Europe, Australia, Brazil, China and others also have mandate for mandatory registration of technical grade pesticides before approval of formulation registration.
Against this background, since 2011, the Pesticide Manufacturers and Formulators Association of India (PMFAI) has been urging the Department of Agriculture, the Central Pesticide Board and the Registration Committee under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare to adopt a policy of mandatory registration of technical grade pesticides in India before granting registration for formulations.
While interacting with media the, Chairman PMFAIn Pradeep Dave said, “In response to the continuous appeal of PMFAI, the Registration Committee in its 443rd meeting held on December 22, 2022 decided to adopt the policy, Compulsory Registration of Technical Grade Pesticides in India. Applicants of FI-WRT (Formulation Import without Technical Registration) are encouraged by the Registration Committee to register for Technical.”
As technical standards require registration, it was decided to revise the registration guidelines, He added.
The government's decision will help boost the vision of "Make in India" and "Self-reliant India" in the agrochemical sector. It will also help set up new manufacturing plants in India to manufacture technical grade pesticides (active ingredients) and formulation products, resulting in increased exports from India and job creation, Dave mentioned.
