Draft Pesticides Management Bill, 2025

The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has released the draft Pesticides Management Bill, 2025, seeking public comments to replace the Insecticides Act, 1968 and the Insecticides Rules, 1971.

Key Provisions of the Draft Bill

• Comprehensive Regulation:
  • Unified Regulatory System: The bill aims to centralise the regulation of pesticides by managing all aspects (entire life cycle), including manufacture, import, sale, transport, use, and disposal.
  • Shifts Control to Union: Pesticide regulation will be a Union matter, replacing the fragmented state-level regulation system that has evolved over time.
• Two-Tier Institutional Structure:
  • Central Pesticides Board: An advisory body on scientific and technical matters related to pesticide regulation.
  • Registration Committee: The executive authority responsible for granting, reviewing, suspending, or cancelling pesticide registrations. 
    • This body will be tasked with ensuring no pesticide is manufactured or imported without prior registration.
• Farmer-Centric Approach:
  • Farmer-Focused: The draft bill aims to protect farmers and consumers from the dangers of indiscriminate pesticide use.
  • Transparency and Traceability: Improved transparency and traceability in the pesticide supply chain through digital processes.
  • Mandatory Digital Records: Registration, licensing, inspections, and record-keeping will be managed digitally, improving service delivery to farmers.
• Streamlining Pesticide Registration:
  • Time-Bound Registration: The Registration Committee must decide on pesticide registration within 12 months, extendable to 18 months. For generic pesticides, approval will be automatically granted if no decision is made within this period.
  • Faster Approvals for Generic Pesticides: The bill seeks to reduce delays and encourage competition by streamlining the approval process.
• Stricter Control on Fake and Substandard Pesticides:
  • Stronger Penalties: The bill proposes higher penalties for spurious and substandard pesticides to deter illegal activities.
  • Accreditation of Testing Labs: Mandatory accreditation of pesticide testing laboratories to ensure that only quality-certified products are available in the market.
• Enforcement Powers:
  • Inspection and Seizure: Inspectors will have the authority to enter premises, seize stocks, halt sales, and draw samples for testing.
  • Suspension and Cancellation of Registrations: Pesticide registrations can be reviewed and suspended if evidence suggests risks to human health, animals, or the environment.
• State-Level Penalties: State authorities will define specific penalty structures under the bill, ensuring compliance with the national framework while allowing for regional flexibility.

Draft Pesticides Management Bill, 2025 vs Insecticides Act, 1968

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Significance of the Bill

• Ensures Safer Pesticide Use: The bill aims to ensure safe, regulated use of pesticides in India, promoting farmer welfare and consumer health.
• Improves Governance: By shifting to a centralised system, the bill addresses gaps in pesticide regulation, improving accountability and transparency.
• Environmental Protection: The provisions for suspension and cancellation of unsafe pesticides aim to protect both the environment and human health from harmful chemicals.
• Boosts Biotechnology: The encouragement of biological pesticides and integrated pest management aligns with global sustainability goals, reducing reliance on harmful chemicals.

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