Question : Substandard-Spurious Pesticides and Fertilizers

(a) whether the existing mechanism to monitor and restrict the sale of substandard/ spurious pesticides and fertilizers across the country has achieved the desired results during each of the last three years and the current year;

(b) if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise and if not, the reasons therefor along with the reaction of the Government thereto;

(c) the number of companies/individuals found involved in manufacturing substandard/ spurious pesticides across the country during the said period, State/ UT-wise along with the action taken/ being taken by the Government against such companies/individuals so far;

(d) whether the Government has conducted any study to estimate the loss to the farmers on account of using such sub-standards/spurious pesticides/ fertilizers in the country during the said period, if so, the details and outcome thereof; and

(e) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to ensure complete restriction on sale of sub-standards/spurious pesticides/fertilizers and make good the losses of farmers from the use of such pesticides/fertilizers across the country?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

???? ??? ????? ?????? ???????? ??? ????? ?????? (SHRI PARSHOTTAM RUPALA)

(a) to (c): As per the existing mechanism, the Central/State Insecticides inspectors and State Fertilizers inspectors draws samples from retailers/wholesalers, manufacturing units etc and have them analyzed in Notified laboratories. Legal action is initiated against those who do not comply with the prescribed standards. The details of the last three years are at Annexure I, II, III & IV.
Contd…2/
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(d): No such study has been conducted.

(e): Monitoring of quality of pesticides is a shared responsibility between the Central and State Governments. Under the provision of the Insecticides Act, 1968, the Central and State Government have notified 168 and 11,645 number of Insecticides Inspectors respectively, to carry out inspection of manufacturing, storage and sale points etc., draw samples of pesticides and have them analyzed with the help of notified Pesticide Analysts. Prosecution is initiated in competent courts of law in cases of violation of the provisions of the Insecticides Act, 1968. This Act has also vested State Governments with legal authority to investigate complaints and take legal action against offenders.

The Quality of Fertilizer is governed under the provision of Fertilizer (Control) Order. Clause 19 of Fertilizer (Control) Order, prescribes that no person shall manufacture, sell, sale, offer for sale or distribute any fertilizer which is not of prescribed standard Specifications of various fertilizers are notified under the Fertilizer (Control) Order, 1985. State Governments are adequately empowered to take appropriate administrative and legal action against those dealers manufacturers/importers who do not comply with the provisions prescribed in the Order. Samples of fertilizers are drawn periodically by the fertilizer inspectors of the State Governments from retailers/wholesalers and manufacturing units etc. for testing in the notified laboratories to check their quality.