Pesticide residues in agriculture refer to the traces of chemical pesticides that remain on crops or in the environment after their application. These residues can pose risks to human health and the environment if not properly managed. To address this issue, many countries have implemented policies and regulations to monitor and control pesticide residues. Governing bodies such as the Environmental Protection Central insecticide board and registration committee, and similar agencies worldwide play a crucial role in setting and enforcing standards for pesticide residues. They conduct risk assessments, establish maximum residue limits (MRLs), and oversee monitoring programs to ensure that agricultural products meet safety standards. Additionally, international organizations like the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) collaborate to develop global guidelines for pesticide use and residue management, promoting safer and more sustainable agricultural practices.

1. Sheri-Kashmir
University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir
wadura, sopore-193201
“Pesticide Legislation & National Policy”
Umer Bin Farook & Dr Munazah Yaqoob
umerskuast@gmail.com
7006330435

2. CONTENTS:
INTRODUCTION
 History of pesticide use
 Pesticide industry in india & Abroad
 Pesticide use in Kashmir
 Pesticide legislation
 Insecticide Act.1968
 Pesticide Management bill, 2017
 National Policy
 Case studies
 CONCLUSION

3. first known pesticide elemental sulfur dusting
use of poisonous plants for pest control
By 15th century Arsenic, mercury & lead
In 17th century nicotine sulfate
19th century natural pesticides (pyrethrum &
rotenone)

4. Evolution of Insecticides
1940-50’s Chlorinated Hydrocarbons
E,g: DDT, Chlorandane etc
1960-70’s Organophosphates &
Carbamates
Eg: Dimethoate, Chlorpyrifos etc
1980-90’s
Synthetic pyrethroids
Eg: Deltamethrin, Bifenthrin
Pesticide use in India dates back to the year 1948
when DDT and BHC were imported for malaria
and locust control
1990-2000’s
Naturalytes
Eg: Spinosad,Neem
Insect Growth Regulators
Eg: Fenoxycarb, Novaluron
Neonicotinoids
Eg: Imidacloprid, Thiamethoxam

5. Per capita consumption of pesticides
0
5
10
15
20
Taiwan China Japan USA Korea France UK India
12
7 7
5 5
0.6
Consumption(Kg/ha)
14
17
Source: Industry report, Analysis by Tata strategic, 2017

6. PESTICIDE USE IN INDIA
 Insecticides form the highest share in total pesticide use
 The pesticide consumption in 2017-18 is 50% higher than use in 2009-10
 The recent increase in pesticide use is because of higher use of herbicides as cost of manual
weed control has risen due to increase in agricultural wages
(CBEC, 2017)
Source: Industry report, Analysis by Tata strategic, 2017

7. Losses (%) caused by different pests
In India, estimated annual production losses due to pests are as high as US$ 42.66 million
Sushil (2016)
28
25
23
10
8
6
Weeds
Diseases
Insects
Storage pests
Rodents
others

8. Market Share by Segments
8
Herbicide ,
44%
Fungicides,
27%
Insecticides,
22%
Others, 7%
Insecticides
65%
Fungicides,
15%
Herbicides,
16%
Others, 4%
World Market- US $ 48 billion India Market- US $ 3.8 billion
US,EPA (2016) Sushil (2016)

9. Crop Wise Consumption
Fruits
&Vegetables,
26%
Cereals,
18%
Maize, 13%
Soyabean,
10%
Rice, 9%
Cotton, 6%
Others,
18%
Cotton,
45%
Rice, 22%
Wheat, 4%
Pulses, 4%
Vegetables,
9%
Plantations
, 7%
Others, 9%
Global Pesticides use by crops Indian Pesticides use by crops

10. State-wise consumption of Pesticides (2016-17)
0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
Per ha(kg)
Source: Industry report, Analysis by Tata strategic, 2017

11. Indian Market Overview
• India is the fourth largest producer of Agrochemicals after USA, Japan & China
• Industry size is estimated to be US $ 3.8 billion
• Insecticides make approximately 75% of the pesticide market followed by fungicides,
herbicides & biopesticides
• There are more than 500 pesticide formulators spread over the country
• According to Pesticide Monitoring Unit, GOI there are
Technical grade
manufacturers
(~125)
Formulators
(~800)
Distributors
(~145,000)
End
Customers use

12. State wise consumption of pesticides in India(%)
A.P
Maharashtra
Punjab
M.P
Karnataka
Gujarat
Tamil Nadu
Haryana
West Bengal
Others
24%
13%
11%
8%
7%
7%
5%
5%
5%
15%
Source: Industry report, Analysis by Tata strategic, 2017

13. SHARE OF DIFFERENT COMPANIES
Bayer 11%
Syngenta
7%
Rallis 6%
BASF 6%
UPL 7%
Cheminova 5%
Makhteshim
5%
Dupont
5%
Crystal
5%
PI Industries 5%
Coromandal 3%
Excel Crop Care 4%
Dhanuka 5%
Others
26%

14. Pesticide use in Kashmir
Pesticide application in Kashmir comprises about 54% of the total cost input
Fungicides constitute major proportion (47%) of total chemical application
At present there are 7 MNC’s and 15 NC’s in pesticide trade
The existing delivery system of pesticides has loopholes in it due to which
farmers have to pay more prices for pesticides
(Baba et al., 2015)

15. Pesticide Application in Apple Orchards of Kashmir
SKUAST-K,2018

16. Pesticide Legislation in India

17. - Deaths in Kerala and Madras by poisoning through the consumption of imported wheat
contaminated with pesticide accidentally
- Government of India appointed a Commission of enquiry (1958)
The whole questions of pesticide use and legislation was studied in 1964-67 by an
Expert Committee of ICAR headed by Prof. M.S. Thacker

18. Based on the recommendations of the Expert Committee;
- a comprehensive Insecticides Act passed in 1968:
to regulate the import
manufacture
sale
transport
distribution
use
The enforcement of Act transferred to the Ministry of Agriculture in the year 1970 by the Ministry of
Health and family Planning
The Department of Agriculture of this Ministry to frame the Rules and constituted Central insecticides
Board (CIB) and Registration committee (RC)
The Insecticides Act was brought into force with effect from 1st August, 1971

19. What is Insecticide?
The term “insecticide” has been defined under the act to include any substance or such other substance or
preparations intended for the purpose of preventing , destroying, repelling or mitigating any insects,
rodents, fungi, weeds and other forms of plant and animal life not useful human beings

20. Pesticide regulation in India
Manufacture, import, sale, transport, labelling &
distribution
Central Insecticides Board (CIB) Registration Committee (RC)
Insecticides Act, 1968 & Rules, 1971

21. The Central Insecticides Board (CIB) The Registration Committee (RC)

22. CIB RC
Advises the central
govt. on technical
matter arising out of
insecticides act & rules
Registers pesticides after
verifying claims made by
manufacturer/importer
Advises on
manufacture,
classification, residue
limit, shelf life of
insecticides
Specifies data
requirement for safety
testing & for packaging,
transport, import,
labelling
Meets once every 6
months
Meets once every
month

23. CHAPTER I
PRELIMINARY
 Short title and
commencement
 Definition
CHAPTER II
FUNCTIONS OF THE BOARD,
REGISTRATION COMMITTEE
AND LABORATORY
 Functions of the Board
 Functions of Registration
Committee
 Functions of Laboratory
CHAPTER III
REGISTRATION OF INSECTICIDES
Manner of registration
 Issue of duplicate certificate of
registration
 Addition, deletion or alteration on the
Certificate of Registration including
labels and leaflets Appeal
 Manner of publication of refusal to
register or cancellation of certificate of
registration

24. CHAPTER IV
GRANT OF LICENCES
 Licences to manufacture insecticides
 Licence for sale, etc., of insecticides
 Pest Control Operators Segregation
and disposal of date-expired
pesticides
 Special provision with regard to
sulphur
 Prohibition against sale or storage of
insecticides in certain places
 Duration of licenses
CHAPTER V
PACKING AND LABELLING
 Prohibition of sale or distribution unless
packed and labelled
 Packaging of insecticides
 Leaflet to be contained in a package
 Manner of labelling
 Prohibition against altering inscriptions,
etc on containers, labels or wrappers of
insecticides

25. CHAPTER VI
INSECTICIDE ANALYSTS AND
INSECTICIDE INSPECTORS
 Qualifications of Insecticide Analyst
 Powers of Insecticides Analyst Duties of
Insecticides Analyst Qualifications of
Insecticides Inspector
 Duties of Insecticides Inspector
CHAPTER VII
TRANSPORT AND STORAGE OF INSECTICIDES IN
TRANSIT BY RAIL, ROAD OR WATER
 Manner of packing, storage while in transit
by rail
 Conditions to be specified for storage of
insecticides

26. CHAPTER VIII
PROVISIONS REGARDING PROTECTIVE
CLOTHING, EQUIPMENT, AND OTHER FACILITIES
FOR WORDERS DURING MANUFACTURE, ETC.
OF INSECTICIDES
 Medical Examination
 First aid measures
 Protective clothing
 Respiratory devices
 Manufacturers, etc. to keep sufficient
quantities of antidotes and first-aid medicines
 Training of workers
 Aerial spraying operations
 Disposal of used packages, surplus materials
and washings of insecticides

27. CHAPTER IX MICELLANEOUS
Places at which the insecticides may be imported:
No insecticides shall be imported into India except through one of the
following places, namely :
 Ferozepore Cantonment and Amritsar railway stations in respect of
insecticides imported by rail across the frontier with West Pakistan.
 Ranaghat, Bongaon and Mahiassan railway stations in respect of
insecticides imported by rail across the frontier with the East
Pakistan.
 Madras, Calcutta, Bombay, Cochin and Kandla – in respect of
insecticides imported by sea into India.
 Madras, Calcutta, Bombay, Delhi and Ahmedabad – in respect of
insecticides imported by air into India.

28. PESTICIDE REGISTRATION

29. 1. When applied for registration, the RC allots a registration number within a period of 12 months.
2. When pesticide registered for first time in India, provisional registration for two years given initially. After data
generation full registration allowed
3. Any person desiring to import or manufacture any insecticide may apply to the Registration Committee for
the registration of such insecticide and there shall be separate application for each such insecticide.
Registration of Insecticides

30. Manner of registration
An application for registration of an insecticide under the Act shall be made in Form I and the said Form
including the verification portion, shall be signed

31. An application form duly filled together with a bank draft, drawn in favor of the Accounts
Officer, DPPQ&S, payable at Faridabad towards registration fee shall be sent to the
Secretary,RC, DPPQ&S, Faridabad. The fee shall be payable as follows
I. Rupees five thousand each in case of application for registration under Sections 9(3) and
9(3B) of the Insecticides Act, 1968;

32. The certificate of registration shall be in Form II or Form II-A, as the case may be
and shall be subject to such conditions as specified there in.

33. A Fee of rupees one hundred shall be paid in the form of DD drawn on the SBI, Faridabad, in favour of
the Accounts Officer, DPPQ&S , Faridabad, Haryana on each occasion for each Certificate of Registration
for addition, deletion, alternation on the Certificate of Registration including labels and leaflets
Issue of duplicate certificate of registration
A fee of rupees one hundred shall be paid in
the form of DD drawn on the SBI, Faridabad in
favour of the Accounts Officer, DPPQ&S
Faridabad, Haryana for a duplicate copy of a
Certificate of Registration if the original is
defaced, damaged or lost.
Addition , deletion or alteration on the certificate
of registration including labels and leaflets

34. A refusal to register an insecticide or a cancellation of the certificate of registration of
an insecticide shall also be published in any two English and Hindi newspapers which
have circulation in a substantial part of India and in any of the journals published by the
Department of Agriculture of the Government of India.
Manner of publication of refusal to register or cancellation
of certificate of registration

35. Pesticide Regulation
CHAPTER-IV-Licensing Office
The State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint such person as it thinks fit to be
licensing officer for the proposes of this Act and define the areas in respect of which they shall exercise
jurisdiction.
Grant of License
Any person desiring to manufacture or to sell, stock or exhibit for sale or distribute any insecticide, or to
undertake commercial pest control operations with the use of any insecticide may make an application to the
licensing officer for the grant of a license.

36. Licences to manufacture insecticide
Application for the grant or renewal of a licence to manufacture any insecticide shall be made in Form III or
Form IV(fee of rupees two thousand for every insecticide)
• If an insecticide is proposed to be manufactured at more than one place, separate applications shall be made
and separate licences shall be issued in respect of every such place

37. following conditions
• Any change in the expert staff named in the licence shall forthwith be reported to the licensing officer
• The licensee shall obtain ISI Mark Certificate from Bureau of Indian Standard within three months of the
commencement of the manufacture.
• No Insecticides shall be sold or distributed without ISI Mark Certification

38. Licence for sale, etc., of insecticides
• Applications for the grant or renewal of a licence to sell, stock or exhibit for sale or distribute insecticides shall
be made in Form VI or Form VII (five hundred for every insecticide )
• If any insecticide is proposed to be sold or stocked for sale at more than one place, separate applications shall
be made and separate licences shall be issued in respect of every such place

39. Segregation and disposal of date-expired pesticide
 Immediately after the date of expiry all
such stocks after being segregated and
stamped `not for sale’ or `not for use’ or
`not for manufacture’
 All such stocks then shall be disposed of
in an environment friendly manner as
may be specified from time to time by
the Central Government in consultation
with the Central Insecticides Board
Special provision with regard to Sulphur
 maintain a separate register showing names and addresses of all the persons to whom it has been sold or
distributed and the quantities to be sold or distributed.

40. Issuing cash memo and maintenance of records
• All sales of insecticides shall be made by a bill or cash memo in the form prescribed under any law
• A licensed manufacturer , stockist, distributor, dealer, retailer or to a bulk consumer shall be entered
insecticide wise, in a register in Form XIII and a state wise monthly return of all sales to actual consumers shall
be sent to the licensing officer, in Form XIV within 15 days from the close of the month.
• Duration of licences a period of two calendar years.

41. CHAPTER V
PACKING AND LABELLING
Prohibition of sale or distribution unless packed and labelled
Packaging of insecticides
 Every package containing the insecticides shall be of a type approved by the Registration Committee.
 Leaflet to be contained in a package
 The plant disease, insects and noxious animals or weeds for which the insecticide is to be applied, the adequate
direction of using at the time of application.

42. The label shall be so affixed to the containers that it cannot be ordinarily removed.
 The label shall contain a square, set at an angle of 450(diamond shape).
 The said square shall be divided into two equal triangles, the upper portion shall contain the symbol and signal
word specified in sub-rule (4) and the lower portion shall contain the colour specified in sub-rule (5).
 The label and leaflets to be affixed or attached to the package containing insecticides shall be printed in Hindi,
English and in one or two regional languages in use in the areas where the said packages are likely to be
stocked, sold or distributed
Manner of Labelling

43. INSECTICIDE ANALYSTS AND INSECTICIDE INSPECTORS
Qualifications of Insecticide Analyst:
B.Sc. Agri. Or B.Sc. with Chemistry as special subject.
Duties of Insecticides Analyst
 Analyse or test such samples of insecticides as may
be sent to him by the Insecticide Inspector under the
provisions of the Act and shall furnish report or
results of such tests or analysis.
 Forward report to the State Government, giving the
result of analytical work .
CHAPTER VI

44. Qualifications of Insecticides Inspector
B.Sc. Agri. Or B.Sc. with Chemistry as special subject.
adequate field experience
Duties of Insecticides Inspect:
• To inspect not less than three times in a year all
establishments selling insecticides within the area of his
jurisdiction;
• To procure and send samples for analysis
• To maintain a record of all inspections made
and action taken by him in the performance of his duties
including the taking of samples and seizure of stocks and
to submit copies of such record to the licensing officer;

45. TRANSPORT AND STORAGE OF INSECTICIDES IN TRANSIT
BY RAIL, ROAD OR WATER
Manner of packing, storage while in transit by rail
 Packages containing insecticides, offered for transport by rail, shall be packed in accordance with the
conditions specified in the Red Tariff, issued by the Ministry of Railways.
 No insecticide shall be transported or stored in such a way as to come into direct contact with foodstuffs or
animal feeds.
CHAPTER VII

46.  The package containing insecticides shall be stored in separate rooms or premises away from
the rooms or premises used for storing other articles or shall be kept in separate almirahs
under lock and key depending upon the quantity and nature of the insecticides.
 The rooms or premises means for storing insecticides shall be well built, dry, ventilated and of
sufficient dimension.
Conditions to be specified for storage of insecticides

47. PROVISIONS REGARDING PROTECTIVE CLOTHING, EQUIPMENT, AND OTHER FACILITIES FOR WORDERS
DURING MANUFACTURE, ETC. OF INSECTICIDES
Medical Examination
All persons who are engaged in the work of handling, dealing or otherwise coming in contact with
the insecticides during manufacture/formulation of insecticides or being engaged during spraying
operation shall be examined medically before their employment (register in Form XVII).
CHAPTER VIII
Protective clothing
Persons handling insecticides during its manufacture, formulation, transport, distribution or application,
shall be adequately protected with appropriate clothing I,e
 protective outer garment/overalls/hood/hat.
 rubber gloves or such other protective gloves extending half-way up to the fore-arm, made of
materials impermeable to liquids;
 dust-proof goggles;
 boots

48.  The operators shall use only approved insecticides and their formulations
 washing decontamination and first-aid facilities shall be provided by the operators
 All aerial operations shall be notified to the public not less than twenty-four hours in advance through
competent authorities
 Animals and persons not connected with the operations shall be prevented from entering such areas for a
specific period
Aerial spraying operations

49.  It shall be the duty of manufacturers, formulators of insecticides and operators to dispose packages or
surplus materials and washing in a safe manner so as to prevent environmental or water pollution.
 The used packages shall not be left outside to prevent their re-use.
 The packages shall be broken and buried away from habitation.
Disposal of used packages, surplus materials and washings of insecticides

50. Pesticide Management Bill, 2017
Insecticide Act, 1968 Pesticide Management Bill, 2008 Pesticide Management Bill, 2017
Major Changes:
Punishment:
 Fine increased from Rs 75,000
to Rs 50 lakhs
 Imprisinment upto 5 yrs , earlier
2 yrs
 Price fixation
 More powers to state
government
 Compensation if pesticides
failed to provide said results

51. National Policy
Government of India has taken several measures for proper use of pesticides by the farmers in the country.
With the efforts from State Governments and concerned Ministries/Organizations different initiatives have
been taken for judicious and proper use of pesticides on crops with an Integrated Pest Management approach
and to generate awareness amongst farmers.
Scheme/initiatives
1. “Strengthening and Modernization of Pest Management Approach in India”
2. Establishment of 35 Central IPM centers in different states to promote IPM
Strategies
3. “Grow Safe food” Campaign has been initiated to create awareness about the safe
and judicious use of pesticides
4. National Farmers Policy 2007
5. National Project on Organic Farming (NPOF)

52. Kerala canceled licenses on Glyphosate distribution & sale
 Kerala is the 5th state in India to ban glyphosate following Punjab, Maharashtra, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh
 Kerala Agriculture Department cancelled licenses for distribution & sale (24th May 2019)

53. Male frogs exposed to Atrazine become females
 Syngenta refused to publish this finding, that led Dr. Hayes to independently carry his
research
 Switzerland (where Syngenta is based ) banned Atrazine in 2007 based on findings of
Dr haynes
Dr. Tyrone Hayes of UC Berkeley to study the environmental impacts of atrazine (funded by
Syngenta,1990)
Study revealed :
 ovaries growing in the testes of male frogs raised in atrazine-contaminated water
 Genetically they are males but morphologically they are females

54. Conclusion:
1. Pesticide registration & regulation rules is very useful for us while joining in any private & public sectors.
2. There are some issues which need immediate attention to strengthen domestic pesticide industry and safe application
of pesticides.
3. It is important to regulate and encourage the use of cost-effective and environmentally safe pesticides.
4. Deregistration of outdated pesticides are necessary for avoiding the adverse impacts.
5. Promotion of safe application practices and awareness among farmers.
6. Lastly, there are certain gaps in data on pesticide production and use.
7. For chemical pesticides, the production, consumption and trade data from different sources are scanty and difficult to
reconcile, which must be addressed.