more-inSmall and medium pesticides manufacturers have found fault with the draft Pesticides Management Bill - which was recently released by the Central government for comments by stakeholders - as it did not mention the need for compulsory technical registration within the country for imported, ready-made pesticide formulation. These companies enjoyed complete monopoly and earned huge profit margins ranging from 200% to 400%, said M. Raja Mahender Reddy, president, Confederation of All India Small and Medium Pesticides Manufacturers Association. The policy framework designed in 2007 gave total monopoly to importers - mainly multinationals - to charge exorbitant prices from farmers and restricting entry of Indian manufacturers. The Indian companies were allowed to enter the market after court intervention, they said. The manufacturers said the Pesticides Management Bill did not clarify definitions and registration procedures for pesticide formulations, along with technical grade products.

Source: The Hindu April 09, 2018 18:33 UTC