Kathmandu, December 28

The government has tabled the Pesticides Bill at the Parliament Secretariat.

The bill aims to regulate the production, synthesis, import, export, storage, sale or distribution, transportation, use and disposal of pesticides and control their adverse effects on human and animal health, and the environment.

As per the bill, any person, institution or agency shall register any pesticide at the Plant Quarantine and Pesticides Management Centre prior to production, synthesis, import, export, commercial use, storage, sale or distribution, transportation, packing or repacking them.

“For the purpose of registration of pesticides, the concerned person, institution or agency shall submit an application to the centre. If the applicant is found to have met the prescribed requirements, the centre shall register such pesticides and provide him/her a certificate thereof,” the bill states.

The bill prohibits production, synthesis, import, export, commercial use, storage, sale or distribution, transportation, packing or repacking of pesticides not registered with the centre.

If a person, institution or agency does not abide by the terms and conditions referred to in the certificate or if any registered pesticide appears to cause adverse effects on human and animal health, and the environment, the certificate may be suspended or cancelled at any time without assigning reasons whatsoever.

More so, it requires any person, institution or agency to obtain licence from the centre for the production, synthesis, import, export, commercial use, storage, sale or distribution, transportation, packing or repacking of registered pesticides.

The bill has also mooted a Pesticides Committee to render necessary suggestions and advice to the government regarding formulation of policies in relation to control and regulation of pesticides. The eight-member committee will be led by secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development.

Formulation of policies on pesticides; encouraging private sector to make investment in biological, botanical and safe chemical pesticide industry; determination of quality standards of pesticides; imposing ban on harmful and hazardous pesticides; approving and implementing standards on pesticides management, among others, include the functions, duties and powers of the committee.

Similarly, the government shall conduct lab test of pesticides to ascertain their risk to human and animal health, and the environment. For this, the MoALD may establish a separate lab.

The bill proposes a fine of up to Rs 100,000 or a jail term of up to three months, or both, if anyone commits any act deemed to be an offence under this law.

“If any person is injured or killed in the course of production, import, export, sale or distribution, transportation and storage of the pesticides, the concerned licence holder shall be held accountable to pay reasonable compensation to the victim according to gravity of the harm caused to him/her,” the bill states.

The bill will substitute the Pesticide Act, 1991 after being approved and authenticated.