Proceedings of the Asia regional workshop on the

Labelling
The Agricultural Pesticides Rules provides an exhaustive guideline for labeling following <strong>the</strong>
FAO Guideline covering necessary aspects <strong>of</strong> safety. Appropriate warning symbol in accordance
with <strong>the</strong> WHO’s recommendation is displayed on label. Withholding period <strong>of</strong> pesticides is also
required to be mentioned.
Application methods
Foliar application through knap-sack/power sprayers is most popular followed by <strong>the</strong>
tractor-mounted sprayers. Some pesticides are sprayed by ULV sprayers as well. Granular pesticides
are broadcast manually. Use <strong>of</strong> protective clothing/gears is little due to hot and humid conditions
prevailing in <strong>the</strong> fields. Special protective clothing/gears are required to be developed suiting to <strong>the</strong>
climatic conditions.
Phasing out severely toxic pesticides
Pakistan is <strong>the</strong> one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> few countries in <strong>the</strong> region to have banned use <strong>of</strong> all severely
toxic and hazardous pesticides included in <strong>the</strong> PIC and POP list in <strong>the</strong> early 1990s. In addition to
PIC/POP pesticides, several o<strong>the</strong>r pesticides have also been banned. Recently <strong>the</strong> government is
considering to ban all formulations <strong>of</strong> monocrotophos and methamidophos. Practically no pesticide
falling in <strong>the</strong> WHO Category I is used. Due to availability <strong>of</strong> comparatively safe new chemistry
molecules and IGRs at competitive prices, <strong>the</strong> use <strong>of</strong> pesticides falling into WHO Category II is also
declining. List <strong>of</strong> banned pesticides is enclosed.
Pesticides disposal
The Agricultural Pesticides Rules provides that <strong>the</strong> destruction and removal <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> empty
packages and pesticides remains shall be affected in such a manner that sources <strong>of</strong> water supply are
not contaminated. The unclean packages shall be destroyed in a way as to preclude <strong>the</strong> possibility <strong>of</strong>
<strong>the</strong>ir being reused for any purpose o<strong>the</strong>r than as base material. Fur<strong>the</strong>r procedures for disposal <strong>of</strong>
surplus pesticides and pesticides containers have been notified in 1984 encompassing small use,
commercial and municipal use, in situ-disposal; organized disposal and landfill disposal sites.
National legislation and enforcement
National legislation exists in <strong>the</strong> form <strong>of</strong> Agricultural Pesticides Ordinance 1971 which is
supported by <strong>the</strong> Agricultural Pesticides Rules 1973. The Rules are amended from time to with <strong>the</strong>
approval <strong>of</strong> Agricultural Pesticides Technical Advisory Committee (APTAC). APTAC is at liberty to
nominate sub committees and can entrust <strong>the</strong>m specific duties.
Liberalization <strong>of</strong> pesticide trade had been welcomed because it had given benefit to <strong>the</strong>
farmers. Unfortunately, this has not been entirely problem free. Some unscrupulous elements found
opportunity to indulge in unethical activities such as:
● Formulating pesticides using active ingredient in substandard quantity.
● Adulteration at supply chain, packing, distribution and marketing level.
These malpractices are affecting <strong>the</strong> plant protection quality and causing damage to <strong>the</strong>
environment.
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