(a) whether there are reports of farmers in rural areas being duped by certain
companies to use chemicals pesticides in the garb of bio-pesticides;
(b) if so, the details of the complaints received in this regard; and
(c) the action taken by the Government thereon?
MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND
MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS,
FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (PROF. K.V. THOMAS)
(a) & (b): There are complaints of sale of bio-pesticide laced with chemical pesticides
in certain parts of the country received mainly from Crop Care Federation of India.
(c): The following actions have been taken by the Government of India for ensuring
the quality of bio-pesticides:
(i) Government of India has notified seven laboratories in different States
to function as Central Insecticide Laboratory in respect of bio-pesticides.
(ii) Registration Committee constituted under section 5 of the Insecticides Act 1968 has asked all
States to take necessary steps for ensuring the quality of bio-pesticides recommended for various
crops in the State.
(iii) Registration Committee has revised the guidelines for registration of bio-pesticides.