Context:
The government plans to introduce a new Pesticide Management Bill to replace the Insecticides Act, 1968, but industry bodies have raised concerns over delays in access to new technologies and lack of regulatory clarity. Stakeholders have suggested reforms such as time-bound data protection and faster approvals.
- Pesticides are chemical or biological substances used to control pests affecting crops, storage, public health, and industry.
- The existing legal framework is the Insecticides Act, 1968, which regulates import, manufacture, sale, transport, and use of pesticides in India.
- The proposed Pesticide Management Bill aims to modernize regulation by focusing on safety, efficacy, environmental impact, and farmer access.
- It proposes establishment of a Central Pesticides Board to advise the government on manufacturing standards, safe disposal, and research on alternatives.
- Registration of pesticides is mandatory before manufacture or import, ensuring evaluation of safety and effectiveness.
- Licensing for sale and distribution is handled by State governments, reflecting the federal structure of regulation.
- A key issue is the absence of Regulatory Data Protection (RDP), which protects the data generated by companies for new pesticide approvals for a limited period.
- Lack of RDP may discourage innovation, as new entrants can use existing data without investing in research.
- Delays in approval of new pesticides lead to continued use of older chemicals, increasing pest resistance and reducing effectiveness.
- Balancing farmer needs for affordable inputs, industry incentives for innovation, and environmental safety remains a key policy challenge.
Source: (The Indian Express, The Hindu, Live Mint)
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