1. EFFECTIVE MECHANISM FOR QUALITY CONTROL OF PESTICIDES

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

3. 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 prohibits import, manufacture and sale of misbranded/prohibited/unregistered insecticides.
Section 20 of the I.A provides for the appointment of qualified persons as Insecticides Inspectors by the Central and State Government.
Section 21 and 22 of the I.A clearly states powers and procedure to be followed by the Insecticides Inspectors.
Two pronged actions for Substandard pesticides– Administrative (suspension/ cancellation) and Legal.

4. 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 )

5. 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
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 figures are till December only.

6. 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 figures are till December only.
MISBRANDED PESTICDES
In the last three years a total of samples have been analysed out of which (2.32%) have been found misbranded.
Out of the total cases of misbranded pesticides, (39.2% ) have been prosecuted.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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

10. 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

11. THANK YOU