Inter-governmental coordination, institutional capacity and awareness among the consumers and farmers are essential to prevent people from consuming vegetables laced with excessive amount of pesticides, according to the experts.
Discussing on the new Pesticides Bill, which will replace the Pesticides Act 1991, at the interaction on ‘Pesticides Law and its Implementation’ – jointly organised by Plant Quarantine and Pesticides Management Centre (PQPMC), Forum for Protection of Consumers’ Rights-Nepal and South Asia Watch on Trade, Economics and Environment (SAWTEE) – here today, the participants also pointed out the need for creating awareness.
Moderating the programme programme director at the SAWTEE Dr Dhrubesh Chandra Regmi said that the programme was being organised to provide inputs on the regulation and bylaws, which will provide functional clarity to the upcoming legislation. “Excessive, improper use and unsound disposal of the pesticides calls for better regulation and implementation,” he added.
Likewise, director-general at the Plant Quarantine and Pesticides Management Centre Dr Dilli Ram Sharma – making his presentation – pointed out the need for creating awareness on optimal use of pesticides by strengthening agriculture extension services and mobilising the private sector, as improper handling and disposal of pesticides not only impact consumers’ health but is also hazardous to farmers’ lives.
He also explained that the new Pesticides Bill has tried to address many concerns. “The Bill has expanded the definition of pesticides, introduced provisions for registration of bio-pesticides, regulations to dispose expired and damaged pesticides and penalty for farmers who use excessive pesticides,” he added.
Similarly, chairperson of the Forum for Protection of Consumers’ Rights-Nepal Jyoti Baniya – presenting paper – talked about the existing issues related to pesticides use and testing. He pointed out that the regulations and bylaws have to provide clarity on coordination among involved government agencies such as the agriculture ministry, customs, commerce ministry. He said that the recent decision of the government to restrict import of fresh vegetables and fruits was made without adequate preparation because the plant quarantine office at custom points are not authorised to conduct pesticides tests.
Urging the need to ensure functional inter-governmental cooperation, chairman at the SAWTEE Dr Posh Raj Pandey seconded Baniya. “If current mechanism is continued, where all these entities are governed by different authorities and legislations without any coordination, we will not achieve desired results,” he added.
Likewise, acting director at the Department of Food Technology and Quality Control (DFTQC) Dr Matina Shrestha, on the occasion, also called attention to inadequate laboratory facility for testing in Nepal. She also informed that DFTQC is working on testing acceptable level of pesticide residues for food items –both fresh and packaged and has already prepared the list of 10 such items which will soon be published in the Gazette to become legally binding.
Officials from concerned department under MoALD, representatives from farmers’ associations, wellness experts, consumer and human rights activists, representatives from media also pointed out the need for equipped laboratories, efficient technical support and effective coordination between government agencies and other stakeholders.
Discussing on the new Pesticides Bill, which will replace the Pesticides Act 1991, at the interaction on ‘Pesticides Law and its Implementation’ – jointly organised by Plant Quarantine and Pesticides Management Centre (PQPMC), Forum for Protection of Consumers’ Rights-Nepal and South Asia Watch on Trade, Economics and Environment (SAWTEE) – here today, the participants also pointed out the need for creating awareness.
Moderating the programme programme director at the SAWTEE Dr Dhrubesh Chandra Regmi said that the programme was being organised to provide inputs on the regulation and bylaws, which will provide functional clarity to the upcoming legislation. “Excessive, improper use and unsound disposal of the pesticides calls for better regulation and implementation,” he added.
Likewise, director-general at the Plant Quarantine and Pesticides Management Centre Dr Dilli Ram Sharma – making his presentation – pointed out the need for creating awareness on optimal use of pesticides by strengthening agriculture extension services and mobilising the private sector, as improper handling and disposal of pesticides not only impact consumers’ health but is also hazardous to farmers’ lives.
He also explained that the new Pesticides Bill has tried to address many concerns. “The Bill has expanded the definition of pesticides, introduced provisions for registration of bio-pesticides, regulations to dispose expired and damaged pesticides and penalty for farmers who use excessive pesticides,” he added.
Similarly, chairperson of the Forum for Protection of Consumers’ Rights-Nepal Jyoti Baniya – presenting paper – talked about the existing issues related to pesticides use and testing. He pointed out that the regulations and bylaws have to provide clarity on coordination among involved government agencies such as the agriculture ministry, customs, commerce ministry. He said that the recent decision of the government to restrict import of fresh vegetables and fruits was made without adequate preparation because the plant quarantine office at custom points are not authorised to conduct pesticides tests.
Urging the need to ensure functional inter-governmental cooperation, chairman at the SAWTEE Dr Posh Raj Pandey seconded Baniya. “If current mechanism is continued, where all these entities are governed by different authorities and legislations without any coordination, we will not achieve desired results,” he added.
Likewise, acting director at the Department of Food Technology and Quality Control (DFTQC) Dr Matina Shrestha, on the occasion, also called attention to inadequate laboratory facility for testing in Nepal. She also informed that DFTQC is working on testing acceptable level of pesticide residues for food items –both fresh and packaged and has already prepared the list of 10 such items which will soon be published in the Gazette to become legally binding.
Officials from concerned department under MoALD, representatives from farmers’ associations, wellness experts, consumer and human rights activists, representatives from media also pointed out the need for equipped laboratories, efficient technical support and effective coordination between government agencies and other stakeholders.
No comments:
Post a Comment