EFFECTIVE MECHANISM FOR QUALITY CONTROL OF PESTICIDES

OUTLINE Overview of the Insecticides Act 1968 Overview of the Existing Mechanism Performance of the State Pesticides Testing Laboratories Challenges Recommendations

OVERVIEW OF THE INSECTICIDES ACT 1968 Under the I.A. 1968, monitoring the quality of pesticides is a shared responsibility between Centre and the States. Section 17 and 18 of the I.A. 1968 prohibits import, manufacture and sale of misbranded/prohibited/unregistered insecticides. Section 20 of the I.A. 1968 provides for the appointment of qualified persons as Insecticides Inspectors by the Central and State Government. Section 21 and 22 of the I.A. 1968 clearly states powers and procedure to be followed by the Insecticides Inspectors. Two pronged actions for Substandard pesticides– Administrative (suspension/ cancellation) and Legal.

OVERVIEW OF THE EXISTING MECHANISM 168 and 11,645* no. of Insecticide Inspectors have been notified by the Centre and the States Government to analysis samples in notified laboratories . At present, there are 68* State Pesticides testing Laboratories (SPTLs), 2 Regional Pesticides testing Laboratories and One Central Insecticides Laboratory. (* As per the information provided by the States in Zonal conferences )

PERFORMANCE OF THE STATE PESTICIDES TESTING LABORATORIES (SPTLs) As per the information received from the States, there are 68 SPTLs with an annual capacity of 73437. Tamil Nadu (15) has the highest no. of SPTLs followed by Rajasthan (6), Karnataka (6), Andhra Pradesh (5), Maharashtra (4), Uttar Pradesh (4), Haryana (4) and so on States like Bihar, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Assam, Madhya Pradesh and Orissa has only one SPTL. Around 79% of the capacity is being utilized. ANNUAL CAPACITY OF SPTLs AVERAGE SAMPLES ANALYSED IN THE LAST THREE YEAR* CAPACITY UTILIZED IN % 73437 57773 79 * Figures provided by States in Zonal Conference. 2015-16 figures are till December only.

PERFORMANCE OF SOME IMPORTANT STATES * S.NO. STATES SAMPLES ANALYSED MISBRANDED PROSECUTED (%) 1. Andhra Pradesh 15370 162 55 (33.9%) 2. Gujarat 9136 336 130 (38.6%) 3. Haryana 7013 250 61 (24.4%) 4. Karnataka 11008 112 37 (33%) 5. Maharashtra 16837 940 173 (18.4%) 6. Punjab 9528 240 99 (41.2%) 7. Rajasthan 7023 202 66 (32.6%) 8. Tamil Nadu 58083 317 130 (41%) 9. Telengana 10450 69 27 (39%) 10. Uttar Pradesh 15150 914 741 (81%) * Figures provided by States in Zonal Conference. 2015-16 figures are till December only. MISBRANDED PESTICDES In the last three years a total of 177318 samples have been analysed out of which 4114 (2.32%) have been found misbranded. Out of the total 4114 cases of misbranded pesticides, 1616 (39.2% ) have been prosecuted.

CHALLENGES Lot of vacancies of Insecticide Inspectors against sanctioned strength. Recurring money / fund not provided for maintenance of SPTL / Bio Pesticide . Capacity of Lab is very less in comparison to retailers. Untimely Campaign during Rabi and Kharif season. Timely reporting of testing results of samples from Labs. Cost of testing sample (Biopesticide & Bioproducts) in NIPHM is very high. Lack of modernization of SPTL. Less number of labs are NABL accredited SPTL. Online monitoring system about supplies made by manufacturer to dealers and retailers.  Lack of legal support system to inspectors Lack of Bio Pesticides Testing facilities in SPTL.

RECOMMENDATIONS STRENGTENING OF STATE PESTICIDES TESTING LABORATIES AND BIO PESTICIDES Number of labs in each state proportionate to dealers in 1:4 ratio (dealer : samples). All the state pesticides testing laboratories (SPTL) should be NABL Accrediated. Development of facilities for testing biopesticides/bioproducts in all SPTLs.

STRENGTHENING OF HUMAN RESOURCES Training course should be organized by state government as well as central government every years for informing about latest technologies to inspectors and Analysts. Filling up of the vacant posts of Insecticides Inspectors

STRENGTHENING OF ORGANISATIONAL/LEGAL RESOURCES Samples are to be taken both from manufacturers & dealers premises. Enforcement flying squads to be given targets (monthly / quarterly). Regular stock checking of Manufacturers. Monthly review of targets of Insecticides inspectors is required Regulation needed for Bio-products & Plant growth regulators. Tamper proof sampling procedure to be developed Dedicated enforcement cell in each state. Legal support for handling of misbranded court cases. Toll free number/ helpline complaints centre to receive information about spurious pesticides in each states

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