Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs: By the end of 2024, ten highly toxic pesticides, including aldicarb, will be phased out!

Release Date:

2021-09-03

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs on August 23, the ministry stated in its response to Proposal No. 8430 submitted during the Fourth Session of the 13th National People’s Congress that, going forward, it will steadily advance the phase-out of highly toxic and high-risk pesticides, with an additional ten highly toxic pesticides to be phased out in stages by the end of 2024.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and other relevant departments have consistently attached great importance to the management of highly toxic pesticides. Since the 1980s, they have imposed a complete ban on 46 highly toxic, high-risk pesticides and have restricted the use of 20 such pesticides on certain crops.

On June 11 this year, seven departments, including the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and the State Administration for Market Regulation, jointly launched a three-year campaign to “ban prohibited substances, control pesticide residues, and promote quality improvement” in the production and trade of food agricultural products. At the meeting, it was made clear that, in phases and batches, the ten currently approved highly toxic pesticides will be phased out, with priority given to those showing high residue levels on vegetables.

With respect to these 10 highly toxic pesticides, a phased and step-by-step elimination approach will be adopted, guided by the principles of gradual progression, staged implementation, and the adoption of multiple measures, taking into account the level of risk associated with each pesticide and the status of production and use of alternative products.

Based on potential risks of use, production and consumption volumes, and the availability of alternative products, and taking into account emerging trends toward substitution, the following is presented in sequence:

1. Aldicarb: Also known as Temik, it is a carbamate insecticide, acaricide, and nematicide, and currently ranks among the most toxic commercially available pesticides.

2. Phosphamidon: An organophosphate nematicide with contact‑kill activity but no systemic or fumigant effects.

3. Isocarbophos: a broad-spectrum insecticide and acaricide with contact, stomach‑poisoning, and ovicidal activity.

4. Phorate: an organophosphorus insecticide and acaricide with systemic activity, exhibiting stomach toxicity, contact action, and fumigant effects.

5. Methyl isofenphos: a soil insecticide that exhibits strong contact and stomach‑poisoning activity against pests.

6. Carbofuran: Also known as Furadan, it is a broad-spectrum carbamate insecticide and nematicide with both contact and stomach‑poisoning actions.

7. Omethoate: A broad-spectrum insecticide and acaricide with strong systemic, contact, and stomach‑poisoning activity.

8. Methomyl: A systemic carbamate insecticide with contact, stomach‑poisoning, and fumigant actions; it exhibits strong penetration and also has some ovicidal activity.

9. Aluminum phosphide: a chemical compound with the molecular formula AlP, produced by the combustion of red phosphorus and aluminum powder. Upon contact with moist air or water, it releases toxic phosphine gas (phosphine is a flammable and explosive hazardous substance), which fumigates and kills various stored-product pests.

10. Chloropicrin: an efficient and highly warning‑inducing pesticide, widely used both domestically and internationally for fumigating grain, timber, and soil.

Source: Agricultural Technology

Tags:

Eight group standards, including the “Labeling Specifications for Agrochemical-Fertilizer Products,” have been officially released and put into effect!

Latest survey data: China’s total cultivated land amounts to 1.918 billion mu, of which paddy fields account for 471 million mu, or 24.55%.

More information

The National Agricultural Technology Center has issued guidelines on “one spray, three protections” for wheat to address the heightened risk of recurrent outbreaks of Fusarium head blight, stripe rust, and aphids.

2026-04-10

The petrochemical and chemical industries comprise more than 27,000 large-scale production enterprises—efforts to upgrade and retrofit aging facilities are being further intensified.

2026-04-06

In 2026, corn borer, cotton bollworm, and ear rot—among other corn pests and diseases—are expected to occur at a relatively severe level. The National Agricultural Technology Center has issued a control plan!

2026-04-02

Address: