At the meeting from July 18-19, 2013 in Changchun, Jilin province, ICAMA launches the implementation of the Action Plan of Safe Pesticide Use in Vegetables and Specialty Crop Production. This Action Plan is to urge the registration of pesticides specialized for vegetables, fruits, mushroom and Chinese medicinal herbs.
It is reported that there are over 27000 registered pesticide products in China, mostly for major
crops, such as rice, wheat,
corn, cotton,
soybean, apple and citrus fruits. However, few pesticides are registered for carrot, water spinach, lotus root, mushroom, red bayberry, longan and Chinese medicinal herbs.
The Action Plan aims at promoting industry development, ensuring sufficient supply of agricultural products and guaranteeing
food safety. It takes the lead in innovating pesticide administration methods, combines investigation, filed test, assessment and application together, and pilots in specialty crops that are both for table and medicinal uses. It is believed that such actions would further improve the mechanisms on safe use of pesticides, and ensure safe use in vegetable and specialty crop production.
In his speech, Xue Liang, President of China Vegetable Association introduced the trends in vegetable production in China, i.e. production is more and more diversified, in large scale and with higher safety requirements. However, pesticide registration falls behind the industry development. For example, no pesticides are registered for over 10 ginger pests/diseases, while there are only 2 pesticides registered for over 20 cowpea pests/diseases. The vegetable industry founds it is pressing to have registered pesticides to use and to use them safely. Therefore, it is high time for action, for an action plan like this one.
Chen Youquan, DDG of Department of Crop Production of MOA stated that the use of pesticides for specialty crops is a issue of great social concern. In the coming 5 years, MOA will build up a database on pesticide use for vegetable and specialty crops, conduct field test, safety assessment and standard-setting for safe pesticide use, and select eligible pesticides for vegetable and specialty crops. Meanwhile, manufacturing enterprises will be encouraged by policy incentives to register more and more pesticides for specialty crops. And local authorities will build up series of demonstration zones for safe pesticide use.
ICAMA DG Sui Pengfei stressed that pesticides for specialty crops are a critical link determining the quality and safety of agricultural products. Measures should be taken to address related social concern and deliver systemic solutions. This special program is to ensure safe food for the mass consumers, requiring financial support and other resources. Therefore, besides public investment, other stakeholders should also participate in the program, including pesticide manufacturers, crop producers, extension technicians, industry associations, etc. At present, the program is waiting for specialized allocation from the central budget to collect data on pest/disease of specialty crops, MRLs, and specifications for safe use. It is convinced that the program will resolve the problem of insufficient registered pesticides for specialty crops, support agricultural production, ensure food safety, and increase farmers' income.
Ye Jimin and Wei Qiwen, DDGs of ICAMA, Ji Ying, Chief Agronomist of ICAMA, Li Guoqiang and Liu Fengyan, DG and DDG of Jilin Agricultural Commission attended the launching meeting. There are also other 100 participants, representing competent departments of MOA, research institutes, provincial ICAs, industry associations and pesticide manufacturing enterprises.