Govt. seeks feedback on draft Bill to regulate pesticides, promote ‘safe and effective’ use, Pg14

Key Highlights:

• The Union Agriculture Ministry has sought public feedback on the draft Pesticides Management Bill.
• The Bill aims to replace the Insecticides Act of 1968.
• The Bill seeks to regulate pesticides to ensure their safe and effective use.
• The draft bill proposes imprisonment up to five years and fines between ₹10 lakh to ₹50 lakh for causing death or grievous harm through pesticide use.

Detailed Insights:

• The proposed Bill aims to minimize risks to humans, animals, and the environment, promoting biological pesticides and those based on traditional knowledge.
• The Bill defines pesticides broadly, including substances for pest control, plant growth regulation, and crop protection during storage and transport.
• The draft Bill proposes a Central Pesticides Board to advise the Central and State governments on scientific and technical matters related to pesticide regulation.
• A registration committee will be responsible for pesticide registration, safety reviews, and maintaining a national digital register of pesticides.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Pesticide: A substance used to prevent, destroy, or control pests in agriculture, industry, or public health.
• Biological Pesticides: Pesticides derived from natural sources like bacteria, fungi, viruses, or plants.
• Registration Committee: A body responsible for the registration, review, and regulation of pesticides.