Pesticide-Makers Seek Ban on Import of Formulations

Pesticide manufacturers and farmers are up in arms against the provisions of the Pesticides Management Bill 2017, which, they believe are detrimental to agriculture and the agro-chemical industry.

Allowing import of formulations without having to register technicals is contrary to the goal of "Make in India" campaign launched by the union government, they said.

They want an immediate ban on no-frill import of formulations, which are flooding the market, while Indian companies are forced to go through a labyrinthine process to sell their pro-ducts. "Excessive powers mooted in Registration committee could lead to return of Inspector Raj. They should be made liable for punishments in case of mistakes," the Confederation of All India Small and Medium Pesticides Manufacturers Association (CAPMA) said.

"Punishments for violations pres-cribed in the Bill are disproportionate to the offences or violations. Even small mistakes could attract heavy penalties," he said.

The association estimated that the country was losing over Rs. 7,000 crore in forex by permitting imports of ready-made pesticide formulations. "The policy guidelines created in 2007 gives total monopoly to importers, mainly multinationals to charge exorbitant prices from farmers for the imported pesticides, restricting entry of Indian manufacturers," Mr. Raja Mahender Reddy of CAPMA said.

The Bill has recently been released by the Union Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare for comments from stakeholders. The Bill, which seeks to replace the existing law (Insecticides Act, 1968), has a lot of shortfalls and loopholes, the association argues. "The Bill is silent on the need for compulsory registration of technical grade pesticides in India. This could lead to monopolies by formulation importers," said Mr. Reddy.