Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs: Strengthen pesticide regulation and resolutely crack down on non-compliant manufacturers, business entities, illegal workshops, and clandestine production sites.

Release Date:

2018-12-18

To the Departments (Commissions, Bureaus) of Agriculture (Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, Rural Economy) of all provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities directly under the central government, and to the Agricultural Bureau of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps: Pesticides are an essential agricultural input, and their production and use bear directly on the safety of agricultural production, the quality and safety of agricultural products, and the security of the ecological environment. In recent years, the manufacture and sale of counterfeit pesticides have persisted despite repeated prohibitions in some localities; the risks associated with the illegal production and marketing of banned pesticides remain unaddressed; and instances of pesticide residues exceeding regulatory limits in agricultural products continue to occur. These issues highlight shortcomings in the implementation of pesticide‑regulation measures and the persistence of significant safety hazards. At this critical juncture of comprehensively advancing reform, all localities must fully enforce the Regulations on the Administration of Pesticides (hereinafter referred to as “the Regulations”).

Pesticide It is an important agricultural input, and its production and use are critical to ensuring the safety of agricultural production, the quality and safety of agricultural products, and the security of the ecological environment. In recent years, in some localities… Pesticide The production and sale of counterfeit goods persist despite repeated bans, with illegal manufacturing and distribution of prohibited items continuing. Pesticide Potential hazards have not yet been eliminated, agricultural products Pesticide Residues exceeding the permissible limits occur from time to time, exposing… Pesticide Problems such as inadequate implementation of regulatory measures and prominent safety hazards. At this critical juncture when reform is being comprehensively advanced, all localities must fully fulfill the provisions of… Pesticide In accordance with the various duties conferred by the Regulations (hereinafter referred to as the “Regulations”), we will earnestly strengthen… Pesticide Supervisory and management work. The relevant matters are hereby notified as follows.

1 Attach great importance to Pesticide Safety Risk Prevention Work

All agricultural and rural departments at every level must earnestly implement the decisions and arrangements of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council on work safety, and in accordance with… In accordance with the principle that “those in charge of an industry must ensure its safety, those in charge of a business must ensure its safety, and those in charge of production and operations must ensure their safety,” we must firmly establish the concept of workplace safety, adhere to the guiding principles of safety first, prevention foremost, and comprehensive management, and fully recognize… Pesticide The importance and necessity of preventing safety risks, effectively enhancing capabilities in safety prevention and governance, and improving… Pesticide The level of safety management in the industry. In line with the requirements of the new‑era agricultural supply‑side structural reform and the strategies of strengthening agriculture through quality and green development, it is necessary to accelerate the advancement of… Pesticide High-quality development and green development. Great importance must be attached to… Pesticide Strengthen safety risk prevention in key areas such as production, operation, and use; earnestly enhance supervision and inspection, risk monitoring, hazard identification, and public awareness and guidance efforts to rigorously prevent… Pesticide A safety accident has occurred.

2 Fully implement Pesticide Regulatory measures

Pesticide Producers, operators, and users are small-scale and fragmented, making regulatory tasks both heavy and challenging. Agricultural and rural departments at all levels must, in accordance with the provisions of the Regulations and their accompanying rules, fully fulfill their duties. Pesticide Regulatory responsibilities shall be upheld, with a problem-oriented approach, focusing on key regions, critical links, and priority enterprises, maintaining rigorous oversight and ensuring the meticulous and stringent implementation of all measures. In Pesticide In the production phase, key areas of oversight and inspection include verifying that manufacturers hold all required licenses and permits, ensuring compliance with standardized production process management, confirming that safety responsibilities are duly fulfilled, assessing product quality for conformity, and evaluating the implementation of QR code labeling and the development of traceability platforms. Resolutely crack down on the illegal production of highly toxic prohibited substances. Pesticide , Hidden addition of others Pesticide Ingredients, production of counterfeit and substandard products Pesticide the behavior. In Pesticide In the business operations phase, the focus is on inspecting whether physical stores and online shops are in compliance. Illegal sale of prohibited or restricted items Pesticide , counterfeit and substandard Pesticide Wait Behavior, as well as Pesticide Records of business ledgers and Pesticide Storage safety hazards, etc. , with special attention “Exclusively for export” Pesticide Does it exist? Export-to-domestic sales , whether herbicides such as diquat are Illegal addition of paraquat . In Pesticide During the usage phase, the focus is on verifying whether there are any… Disabled Pesticide , Use beyond the permitted scope and quantity Pesticide and failure to observe the safety interval, etc. Violations. Special attention must be given to investigating and addressing them. The unauthorized use of highly toxic and acutely toxic pesticides on crops such as vegetables, fruits, tea, edible fungi, and traditional Chinese medicinal herbs. Pesticide Such conduct must be addressed. Efforts to investigate and prosecute major cases must be intensified, with resolute crackdowns on non‑compliant manufacturers, business entities, as well as illegal workshops and clandestine production sites. Where criminal offenses are suspected, cases shall be referred to the public security and judicial authorities for investigation and prosecution in accordance with the law.

3 Effectively strengthen Pesticide Regulatory Responsibility

All agricultural and rural departments at various levels shall, in accordance with… The principle of “one matter is primarily managed by a single entity” should be earnestly strengthened to ensure… Pesticide Organizational leadership for regulatory work should be strengthened by improving management structures, clarifying management responsibilities, and assigning specific personnel to accountability. It is necessary to further refine… Pesticide Regulatory mechanisms, with responsibilities firmly assigned at every level, to ensure oversight and accountability. Pesticide Production and business enterprises shall fulfill their principal responsibilities, establishing a mechanism characterized by vertical coordination, horizontal collaboration, and clear delineation of powers and responsibilities. Pesticide Regulatory framework. It is necessary to innovate regulatory approaches, make full use of modern information technologies, and continuously enhance the efficiency and quality of regulatory services. A sound and comprehensive system must be established and improved. Pesticide Establish an emergency response mechanism for safety incidents, refine emergency preparedness plans for major safety events such as agricultural product quality and safety issues, crop‑protection‑related damage, and human or animal poisoning, and enhance emergency response capabilities. It is essential to strengthen service orientation, optimize the business environment, and pay close attention to… Pesticide The legitimate demands of production and business enterprises are addressed promptly to alleviate farmers’ difficulties, ensuring that… Pesticide The responsibilities and tasks related to production licensing, business licensing, market supervision, and user guidance have been effectively implemented. Pesticide Regulatory tasks are arduous and responsibilities are immense. Agricultural and rural departments of all provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities directly under the central government must promptly implement the requirements set forth in this notice, strengthen guidance to their municipal and county (district) counterparts, and ensure comprehensive execution. Pesticide Regulatory work. At the same time, information should be shared promptly to ensure implementation. Pesticide The responsible regulatory departments and contact persons, together with the contact information of these departments and the 2018 provincial (regional, municipal) data, shall be submitted by January 15, 2019. Pesticide Regulatory Work Summary Report to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Pesticide Management Department.