Pesticides Management Bill 2020

WHY IN NEWS?

The Pesticides Management Bill, 2020 has been approved by the Union Cabinet.

ABOUT PESTICIDE MANAGEMENT BILL, 2020

• The Bill will regulate the business of pesticides and compensate farmers in case of losses from the use of agrochemicals.
• Agrochemicals imply chemicals used in agriculture, such as a pesticide or fertilizer.
• Currently, the pesticide business is regulated by rules under the Insecticides Act 1968.
• Major provisions of the bill
  • Pesticide Data: It will empower farmers by providing them with all the information about the strength and weakness of pesticides, the risk and alternatives. All information will be available openly as data in digital format and in all languages.
  • Compensation: The Bill has a unique feature in the form of a provision for compensations in case there is any loss because of the spurious or low quality of pesticides.
  • If required, a central fund will be formed to take care of the compensations.
  • Organic Pesticides: The Bill also intends to promote organic pesticides.
  • Registration of Pesticide Manufacturers: All pesticide manufacturers have to be registered and bound by the new Act, once it is passed. The advertisements of pesticides will be regulated so there should be no confusion or no cheating by the manufacturers.

Insecticides Act, 1968

• It was brought into force with effect from August 1971 with a view of regulating the import, manufacture, sale, transport, distribution and use of insecticides in order to prevent risk to human beings and animals.
• Central Insecticides Board was established under Section 4 of the Act and it works under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare.
• The board advises the central government and state governments on technical matters arising out of the administration of the act and to carry out the other functions assigned to it.

Prelims Question

Q. Consider the following statements regarding Pesticides Management Bill, 2020:
1.Prior to Pesticides Management Bill, 2020 the pesticide business was regulated by rules under the Insecticides Act 1968.
2.The Pesticides Management Bill, 2020 has a unique feature in the form of a provision for compensations in case there is any loss because of the spurious or low quality of pesticides.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a)1 only
b)2 only
c)Both 1 and 2
d)Neither 1 nor 2

Answer to the Prelims Question