ADVERSE EFFECT OF INSECTICIDES ON SOIL HEALTH

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2562
ANSWERED ON 11/08/2023
ADVERSE EFFECT OF INSECTICIDES ON SOIL HEALTH
2562.# SHRI HARNATH SINGH YADAV:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE be pleased to state:-

(a) whether Government has done any research on the adverse effects of insecticides on soil health; 

(b) if so, the details thereof; 

(c) whether it is a fact that the use of insecticides adversely affects human life, animals, birds, land, water and environment; 

(d) if so, the details thereof; 

(e) whether Government has devised any action plan to ban insecticides; and 

(f) if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE (SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)

(a) to (d): Pesticides being inherently toxic substances are registered for use in the country by the Registration Committee (RC) constituted under section 5 of the Insecticides Act, 1968 (the Act). RC while registering the pesticides for use in the country evaluates their safety and efficacy based on the field trials conducted at State Agriculture Universities/ICAR institutes and lab studies conducted at NABL /ISO:17025/ and GLP accredited laboratories. Based on the studies, Registration Committee approves the details of doses, crops, precautionary measures, antidotesetc on Label and Leaflets. The registered pesticides if used as per Label and Leaflets do not pose any harm to human beings, animals, and environment and living organisms other than pests. 

(e) & (f): The Government of India, on receipt of new studies/reports/references/information keeps reviewing from time to time the continued use or otherwise of the pesticides with regard to their safety and efficacy. These reviews are undertaken by constituting expert committees. Based on the recommendations of these committees and in consultation with Registration Committee, the Government bans, restricts, withdraws or refuses registration of pesticides. The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has so far banned or phased out 46 pesticides and 4 pesticide formulations for import, manufacture or use in the country. In addition, 8 pesticide registrations have been withdrawn and 9 pesticides have been placed under restricted use. The details are

placed at Annexure-I. 

LIST OF PESTICIDES WHICH ARE BANNED, REFUSEDREGISTRATION AND RESTRICTED USE:                                                                                                                              (As on 01.06.2023) 

  1. PESTICIDES / FORMULATIONS BANNED IN INDIA 

     

    .

    Pesticides Banned for manufacture, import and use

    1.

    Alachlor (Vide S.O. 3951(E), dated 08.08.2018)

    2.

    Aldicarb (vide S.O. 682 (E) dated 17th July 2001)

    3.

     Aldrin

    4.

    Benzene Hexachloride

    5.

    Benomyl (vide S.O 3951(E) dated 8 th August, 2018)

    6.

    Calcium Cyanide

    7.

    Carbaryl (vide S.O 3951(E) dated 8 th August, 2018)

    8.

    Chlorbenzilate (vide S.O. 682 (E) dated 17th July 2001)

    9.

    Chlordane

    10.

    Chlorofenvinphos

    11.

    Copper Acetoarsenite

    12.

    Diazinon (vide S.O 3951(E) dated 8 th August, 2018)

    13.

    Dibromochloropropane (DBCP) (vide S.O. 569 (E) dated 25th July1989)

    14)  (A)

    . Dichlorovos(VideS.O. 3951(E), dated 08.08.2018

    15.

    Dieldrin (vide S.O. 682 (E) dated 17th July 2001)

    16

    . Endosulfan (vide ad-Interim order of the Supreme Court of India in the Writ Petition (Civil) No. 213 of 2011 dated 13th May, 2011 and finally disposed of dated10thJanuary, 2017)

    17

    . Endrin

    18.

    Ethyl Mercury Chloride

    19.

    Ethyl Parathion

    20.

    Ethylene Dibromide (EDB) (vide S.O. 682 (E) dated 17th July 2001)

    21.

    Fenarimol (vide S.O 3951(E) dated 8 th August, 2018)

    22.

    Fenthion (vide S.O 3951(E) dated 8 th August, 2018)

    23.

    Heptachlor

    24.

    Lindane (Gamma-HCH)

    25.

    Linuron (vide S.O 3951(E) dated 8 th August, 2018)

    26.

    Maleic Hydrazide (vide S.O. 682 (E) dated 17th July 2001)

    27.

    Menazon

    28.

    Methoxy Ethyl Mercury Chloride (vide S.O 3951(E) dated 8

    th August, 2018)

    29.

     Methyl Parathion (vide S.O 3951(E) dated 8 th August, 2018)

    30.

    Metoxuron

    31.

    Nitrofen

    32

    . Paraquat Dimethyl Sulphate

    33.

    Pentachloro Nitrobenzene (PCNB) (vide S.O. 569 (E) dated 25th July 1989)

    34.

    Pentachlorophenol

    35.

    Phenyl Mercury Acetate

    36.

    Phorate(Vide S.O. 3951(E), dated 08.08.2018)

    37.

    Phosphamidon(Vide S.O. 3951(E), dated 08.08.2018)

    38.

    Sodium Cyanide ( banned for Insecticidal purpose only vide S.O 3951(E) dated 8th August, 2018)*

    39.

    Sodium Methane Arsonate

    40.

    Tetradifon

    41

    Thiometon (vide S.O 3951(E) dated 8 th August, 2018)

    42.

    Toxaphene(Camphechlor) (vide S.O. 569 (E) dated 25th July 1989)

    43

    Triazophos(Vide S.O. 3951(E), dated 08.08.2018)

    44

    Tridemorph (vide S.O 3951(E) dated 8

    th August, 2018)

    45.

    Trichloro acetic acid (TCA) (vide S.O. 682 (E) dated 17th July 2001)

    46.

    Trichlorfon(Vide S.O. 3951(E), dated 08.08.2018)

    B

    Pesticide formulations banned for import, manufacture and use

    1

    Carbofuron 50% SP (vide S.O. 678 (E) dated 17th July 2001)

    2.

    Methomyl 12.5% L

    3.

    Methomyl 24% formulation

    4.

    Phosphamidon 85% SL

    C.

    Pesticide / Pesticide formulations banned for use but continued to manufacture for export

    1

    . Captafol 80% Powder (vide S.O. 679 (E) dated 17th July 2001)

    2.

    Dichlorvos (vide S.O. 1196 (E) dated 20th March 2020)

    3.

    Nicotin Sulfate (vide S.O. 325 (E) dated 11th May 1992)

    4.

    Phorate (vide S.O. 1196 (E) dated 20th March 2020)

    5.

    Triazophos (vide S.O. 1196 (E) dated 20th March 2020)

    D

    Pesticides Withdrawn (Withdrawal may become inoperative as soon as required complete data as per the guidelines is generated and submitted by the Pesticides Industry to the Government andaccepted by the Registration Committee. (S.O 915(E) dated 15thJun,2006)

    1.

    Dalapon

    2.

    Ferbam

    3

    . Formothion

    4.

    Nickel Chloride

    5.

    Paradichlorobenzene (PDCB)

    6.

    Simazine

    7.

    Sirmate (S.O. 2485 (E) dated 24th September 2014)

    8

    . Warfarin (vide S.O. 915 (E) dated 15th June 2006)

     

     

    * Regulation to be continued in the extant manner for non-insecticidal uses