The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare issued the latest amendments in the in the Insecticide rules 1971. As per the latest amendment, issued by the Department of Agriculture and Co-operation, ‘A person who applies for grant for license to sell, stock, or exhibit for sale or distribute insecticides shall possess or shall employ a person possessing a graduate degree in Agriculture Sciences, or Biochemistry, or biotechnology or Life science or in science with Chemistry or Botany or Zoology as a minimum qualification.’

Subsequently RAI submitted a representation to Hon’ble Joint Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer Welfare to exempt retailers from this mandatory requirement. The new amendment poses certain impediments to the retail industry which can be addressed without increasing the risk exposure. Most retail outlets are engaged in the sale of “household insecticides” which pose considerably less risk to life as compared to other industrial or commercial insecticides which indeed need to be regulated more strictly.

Please find the representation here.