Question : HIKE IN PRICES OF PESTICIDES

(a) whether the Government is aware about the hike in prices of pesticides due to implementation of recent amendment in Patent Act in place of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) related to trade;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the impact on the farmers due to hike in prices of pesticides;

(c) if not, the reasons therefor; and

(d) the steps taken by the Government to provide pesticides at affordable rates to the farmers?

THE MINISTER OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS AND MINISTER OF STEEL (SHRI RAM VILAS PASWAN):

(a) to (d) Majority of the pesticides already in the Indian market are off-patent and their availability would not get affected. There is no control of the Government on production and pricing of pesticides.