Lecture 20 THE INSECTICIDES ACT, 1968
An act to regulate the import, manufacture, sale, transport, distribution and use of
insecticides with a view to prevent risk to human beings on animals and for matters connected
therewith.
Salient features of the Insecticides Act
Compulsory registration of the product at the Central level and licenses for manufacture,
formulation and sale at state level.
Inter – departmental / ministerial / organizational co-ordination is achieved by a high level
advisory board “Central Insecticides Board” with 24 members (to be raised to 29 by an
amendment) drawn from various fields having expert knowledge of the subject.
“Registration Committee” to look after the registration aspects of all Insecticides.
Establishment of enforcement machinery like Insecticide Analysts and Insecticide Inspectors
by the Central or State Government.
Establishment of Central Laboratory
Power to prohibit the import, manufacture, and sale of pesticides and also confiscate the
stocks. The offences are punishable and size and other penalties are prescribed.
Both the Central and State Governments are empowered to make rules, prescribe forms and
fees.
The Central Insecticides Board (CIB)
The Central Insecticides Board advices on matters relating to:
The risk to human beings or animals involved in the use of insecticides and the safety
measures necessary to prevent such risk.
The manufacture, sale, storage, transport, distribution of insecticides with a view to ensure
safety to human beings and animals.
Board members
The Director General Health Services ➜ Chairman
The Drugs Controller, India
The Plant Protection Adviser to the Government of India
The Director General, ICAR
The Director General, ICMR
Totally 24 members – others from various other fields such as BIS, Animal
husbandry, Pharmacology, Fisheries, Wild life etc.,
The Registration Committee (RC)
RC comprises a Chairman and five members. Among them are:
1. Deputy Director General, Crop Sciences, ICAR-Chairman
2. Drugs Controller, India
3. Plant Protection Adviser to the Government of India
Role of RC
To register insecticides after scrutinizing them with regard to efficacy and safety.
Registration of Insecticides
When applied for registration, the RC allots a registration number within a period of 12
months.
When pesticide registered for first time in India, provisional registration for two years given
initially. After data generation full registration allowed.
The Central Insecticides Laboratory (CIL)
CIL carrys out the analysis relating to insecticide registration and other matters.
Insecticide Inspectors
Central or State Government appoints person called Insecticide Inspector who is
empowered.
a. To enter and search premises
b. To stop the distribution or sale or use of insecticide
c. Take samples of insecticide and send for analysis
The Insecticides Rules, 1971
There are nine chapters in the insecticide rule, 1971 relating to the functions of CIB,
RC, CIL, grant of licenses, packing, labelling, first aid, antidate protective clothings etc.,
Insecticide residues and waiting period
Residues
The toxicant that remains in the environment (like soil, water, plant harvested
produce, etc.) after the application of insecticides. The duration of retension is called
persistence.
- Only 1% of the pesticide applied to crop reaches the target. The remaining 99%
contaminate soil, water, air, food, forage, etc.
- When surveyed in India 20% of market samples of food commodities were having
residues above legal MRL (maximum residue limits).
- 37% of milk samples contaminated with DDT above MRL (0.05 mg/kg)
- Due to contamination the dietary intake of DDT and HCH are above ADI
(acceptable daily intake) in India.
- Waiting period must be observed which is the minimum period allowed between
time of application of pesticide and harvest of commodities in order to allow the
toxicant residue level to come below MRL.
The following are some examples of waiting period of some chemicals in a
few important crops
Crop Insecticide and Dose Waiting period (days)
1. Chillies Dicofol 0.05% 1
Quinalphos 0.05% 8
2. Tomato Phosalone 0.05% 3
Quinalphos 0.05% 5
3. Brinjal Phosalone 0.05% 2
Endosulfan 0.07% 3
Aldicarb 1 kg a.i./ha 60
Role of pesticides in IPM
1. Pesticide should be applied only based on the need, i.e. if pest reaches ETL.
2. It should be judiciously combined with other components of IPM and pesticides
should be used as last resort.
3. When pest population approaches ETL, insecticides are the only means of
preventing economic damage.
4. Insecticides are available in easy and ready to use packings.
5. Easy to apply and large area can be covered.
6. A range of insecticides are available depending on crop, insect and nature of
damage.
7. Pesticides which are cost effective (High benefic/cost ratio) and safe (High
benefit/risk ratio) should be used in IPM.
