Insecticides Act, 1968 | Agriculture Optional Notes for UPSC PDF Download

Need for amendment in the Insecticides Act, 1968

Issues in the Insecticides Act, 1968

• Pesticide companies often outsource production to smaller manufacturers, leading to quality degradation.
• The Insecticides Act, 1968, focuses on prosecuting manufacturers, overlooking issues in the outsourcing stage.
• Only 23 pesticides have been phased out due to safety concerns, persistence, and poor efficiency.
• Licensing Officers can temporarily halt pesticide sales for 30 days, but this may contribute to existing corrupt practices in the industry.

Steps To Be Taken

The challenges arising from the Insecticides Act, 1968 are primarily administrative. However, for the effective implementation of Sustainable Development Goal target 2.4, legislation on pesticide management in India should include the following provisions:

• Emphasis on Limited Pesticide Use: Pesticides should be considered a temporary solution, used only as a last resort in agricultural practices to ensure sustainable food production.
• Stringent Pesticide Regulations: The legislation should include measures to prohibit the sale and use of Class I pesticides, categorized by the World Health Organization based on acute toxicity.
• Mandate for Personal Protective Equipment: The bill should make it illegal for pesticide companies to sell their products without providing personal protective equipment or safety gear.
• Emergency Medical Procedures: Provision should be made for systems and standard operating procedures to address acute medical emergencies related to pesticide exposure.
• Need and Alternatives Assessment: Pesticide registration procedures should require a thorough assessment of the need and available alternatives before processing any registration application.
• 'Code of Conduct' for Pesticide Companies: Similar to pharmaceutical drugs, pesticide advertisements should be prohibited to prevent influencing farmers' buying behavior, considering their often limited education and awareness.
• 'Polluter Pays' Principle: Liability and compensation for any environmental damage caused by the pesticide industry should be determined based on the 'Polluter Pays' principle, holding companies accountable for the entire product cycle, including disposal.
• Financial Penalties for Violations: In case of regulatory violations by pesticide companies, financial penalties should be proportional to the total sales value of the respective pesticide in India, ensuring a deterrent effect.
• Farmer Capacity Building: Farmers need awareness about judicious pesticide use, with a focus on cautious sales and supervised application, similar to drug practices. Clear guidelines on targeting, dosing, and application methods are crucial.
• Empowering State Governments: State governments should have increased authority to regulate pesticides, considering their better understanding of the agro-ecological aspects within their respective states.
• Adoption of Green Alternatives: Proven alternative agro-ecological methods for pest management without chemical pesticides should be encouraged through research and innovation. The goal is to phase out chemical pesticide usage and replace it with biopesticides.
• Government Promotion of Organic Farming: Existing schemes and programs, such as Paramapragat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) and Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), aim to promote organic farming as a sustainable alternative.

Note:

• The Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) seeks to expand the organic farming area by offering farmers increased income through reduced cultivation costs and the premium prices associated with organic produce.
• Biopesticides are agents derived from biological sources, employed for managing plant pests. These agents may include living organisms like nematodes or microorganisms, as well as naturally occurring substances such as plant extracts or insect pheromones.