Draft Pesticides Management Bill, 2025
Context:
The Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare has released the Draft Pesticides Management Bill, 2025 for public consultation.
It intends to repeal and replace the existing Insecticides Act, 1968.
Objectives:
To ensure the availability of safe and effective pesticides for farmers.
To minimize risks to humans, animals, and the environment while promoting pesticides based on biological and traditional knowledge.
Key Provisions:
Pesticide is broadly defined to include substances used for pest control in agriculture, industry, and public health, as well as plant growth regulators, defoliants, and desiccants.
Institutional Mechanism:
The Central Pesticides Board will be constituted to advise Central and State governments on scientific matters (manufacturing practices, disposal criteria, and advertisement standard)
The Registration Committee is empowered to register pesticides, periodically review their safety, and maintain a digital national register of pesticides.
The Bill proposes stringent penalties, including imprisonment of up to five years and fines ranging from ₹10 lakh to ₹50 lakh, for offences causing death or grievous hurt.