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. 202 DUE FOR REPLY ON 8TH AUGUST, 2005.
(a)&(b): The Registration Committee constituted under Section 5 of the Insecticides Act,
1968 registers pesticides only after satisfying itself regarding their efficacy and safety. Toxicity
and residue data generated under supervised trials is analysed and used to fix Maximum Residue
Limits (MRLs) by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare under the Prevention of Food
Adulteration Act, 1954 and Rules framed thereunder. A statement indicating the extent of
pesticide residues in various agricultural commodities monitored under the All India Network
Project of ICAR on Pesticide Residues is annexed.
(c): The introduction of new generation of pesticides which have lower persistence in the
environment and are required to be used in lower dosages have helped minimize pesticide
residues in food commodities. Labels and leaflets accompanying pesticide packets contain
instructions regarding the approved uses, dosages, time of application, precautions, pre-harvest
interval (waiting period) etc. to ensure safe use of pesticides. The Central/State Governments
also impart training to various extension functionaries, dealers, farmers on the safe and judicious
use of pesticides. Government is also promoting the strategy of Integrated Pest Management
(IPM) which envisages cultural, biological, mechanical and other methods of pest control and
only need based judicious use of pesticides. A Central Sector Scheme for Monitoring of
Pesticide Residues at the National Level has been approved this year in order to ascertain the
prevalence of pesticide residues at farmgate and market yards to enable remedial measures to be
undertaken as required.
Annexure
Statement indicating the extent of pesticide residues in various agricultural
commodities monitored under the All India Network Project of ICAR on
Pesticide Residues.
Vegetables#
Year No. of samples Samples above MRL(%) analysed
1999 277 10(3.6)
2000 712 81(11)
2001 796 93(11.7)
2002 592 54(9)
2003 666 35(5.3)
Total (1999-2003) 3043 273(8.97)
# Cabbage, cauliflower, brinjal, okra, potato, bean, gourds, tomato,
chilli, spinach, carrot, cucumber, cowpea etc.
Fruits##
Year No. of samples Samples above MRL(%) analysed
1999 122 8 (6)
2000 378 8 (6)
2001 378 0 (0)
2002 359 3 (0.8)
2003 317 1 (0.3)
Total (1999-2003) 1554 15 (0.97)
## Apple, banana, mango, grapes, oranges, pomegranate, guava, chekoo, ber etc.
Milk
Year No. of samples Samples above MRL(%) analysed
1999 194 116 (60.0)
2000 537 94 (17.5)
2001 468 71 (15.0)
2002 No study conducted
2003 No study conducted
Total (1999-2003) 1199 281 (23.4)
