According to reports by Tribune, the Punjab Government has banned sale of 9 types of pesticide including Acephate, Carbendazim, Thiamethoxam, Triazofos, Tricyclazole, Buprofezin, Carbofuron, Propiconazole and Thiophanate Methyl in the state.
This is good news for exporters of basmati rice to Europe where residue level of Tricyclazole has been reduced from 1.00 ppm (parts per million) to 0.01 ppm. The reduction in pesticide residue level by European Union led to Indian basmati rice shipments to Europe falling drastically even after the overall export of basmati rice has increased from USD 3208.60 million in FY 2016-17 to USD 4712.44 million in FY 2018-19 according to data published by the Ministry of Commerce.
Larger piece of Basmati Rice conveyed in India crosses European Affiliation pesticide development limit.In 2017, numerous basmati rice transfers to Europe were dismissed after that EU decreased pesticide buildup level on basmati rice.
As of now all basmati rice transfer to Europe require pre shipment research center testing of buildup cutoff points of 22 types of pesticides. Rice millers and exporters of basmati rice have been requesting the Indian Government to request EU to relax norms on pesticide testing of consignments.
However, the European Union Regulatory body confirmed that all consignments will require testing and confirming to the standards set by EU
Reality Check
The Secretary of Agribusiness Division, Dr Kahan Singh Pannu affirmed the boycott and gave warning to the ranchers to not utilize these pesticides as they are unsafe to wellbeing and influence the fare of horticultural produce.
However, harvest of 1509 basmati paddy is just a month away and new basmati crop will not adhere to EU pesticide norms. Basmati paddy farmers in Punjab sow their crop in the month of May and the ban on pesticide sale was announced on 25th of July.
The ban on pesticide sale in Punjab should have been announced in the month of April this year so that farmers would have abided by new regulations to pesticide use in their crop.