(a) whether a number of pesticides which were reported to have been banned by the
Government are still being used by the farmers;
(b) if so, the steps taken by the Government to stop the use of these pesticides; and
(c) the further steps taken or proposed to be taken by the Government to curb the marketing
of these pesticides especially Class Ia and Ib and II pesticides given the fact that India is a
signatory to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) code of conduct?
MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI SHARAD PAWAR)
(a) to (c): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. 147 DUE FOR REPLY ON 14TH MARCH, 2004.
(a)&(b): The Government of India has so far banned 24 pesticides and placed 7 pesticides
on the restricted list. Though there are no reports to suggest use of banned pesticides,
Government of India has periodically issued guidelines to States which are the enforcement
agencies under the Insecticides Act, 1968 informing them of pesticides banned by the
Government of India.
A Task Force to supplement the efforts of the State Governments to ensure supply of
quality pesticides to farmers has been established in the Department of Agriculture and
Cooperation.
The Central and the State Pesticides Testing Laboratories have been and are being
continually strengthened for testing of pesticide samples drawn from manufacturers, distributors
and sellers.
(c): The Registration Committee, constituted under the Act, registers pesticides for use in the
country only after satisfying itself regarding their efficacy and safety to human beings and
animals. In keeping with the above objectives, it has been decided not to register Class Ia or Ib
pesticides without sufficient justification, even though Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO)
Code of Conduct does not debar the use of Class Ia, Class Ib and Class II pesticides.