Recently, deaths due to pesticide spraying has been reported.
This has brought the focus on the pending ‘Pesticide Management Bill’ that seeks to replace the Insecticides Act, 1968.
What are the highlights of the bill?
The bill seeks to improve the regulations in the manufacture, inspection, testing and distribution of pesticides.
It proposes a system of licensing and also sets the criteria for classifying pesticides as misbranded, sub-standard, or spurious.
Constituting a Central Pesticides Board to advise the government on pesticide related regulation is also among its provisions.
Fixation of tolerance limits by FSSAI for pesticide residues on crops and commodities is touted to become mandatory.
State governments are envisioned to implement the set-up.
What are the changes being considered?
The Bill defines a pesticide as any substance used to destroy or control pests in agricultural commodities or animal feeds.
So, pesticides used for non-agricultural purposes, such as health care, are outside the ambit.
Hence, the Parliamentary Standing Committee has recommended that a broader definition for the same.
While FSSAI has been mandated for fixation of residual pesticide limits, the relevant provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act are yet to be enforced.
Also, the Bill does not specify penalties for pesticide inspectors or currently – which needs alteration.
