Board 25th meeting: Over 200 pesticide registration applications rejected in Myanmar −− Pesticide regulation becoming stricter in Myanmar
Time：2019-03-02
| Author: Thantsin, Executive Director of Myanmar Max Agro Service Co., Ltd. Thantsin graduated from Yezin University with 5-year bachelor’s degree, he has nearly 3 decades work experience in agriculture, focusing on new product experiment and market analysis. |
Agricultrue in Myanmar
Agriculture is the largest economic sector in Myanmar, responsible for approximately 38 % of the nation's GDP and 30% of export earnings. Myanmar is rich in land resources, with a total land area of 65,325,000 ha, ranking No. 2 among ASAEN countries, next to Indonesia. Up until now, cultivated land covers 12.8million ha, only accounting for less than 20% of the total land area, so there is still a large potential. There are three main crops grown in Myanmar, namely, Paddy, Beans & Pulses and Oilseed crops. Myanmar enjoys a monsoon climate, with November to next May being the dry season and June to October is the rainy season.
Pesticide Market
Pesticides are still relatively little-used, compare to countries like Vietnam, Thailand, China and India. At the same time, use of pesticides has increased from 2,874 metric tons in 2012-2013 to 11,101 metric tons in 2011-2012. According to the latest statistics, the total pesticide imports reached nearly 20000 metric tons in 2018. The use of pesticides will likely increase further in the near future, with Myanmar applying more to the production of quality agriculture procedures and less for crop intensification. (Myo Myint, 2014, Phu Thit, 2012, UN, 2014)
It is worth mentioning that 80% of imported pesticides come from China.
The Myanmar pesticide market is controlled by Pesticide Law (1990s) launched under the Ministry of Agriculture and Forest. The formation of the Pesticide Board was issued by Notification by 2/92 (MOA, 1992), and renewed in 2016.
The authorization of pesticides is regulated under the pesticide Law (MOA, 1990), but its implementation has not been worked out in detail. The Registration Board makes decision on all applications for registration or amendment of registrations of any type of pesticides.
There are five types of registrations. The validity period of registration certificates vary with the type of the registration:
1. Experimental registration: this registration is valid for a period of 2 years.
2. Provisional registration: valid for a period of 5 years.
3. Full registration: valid for a period of 10 years.
4. Amended registration
5. Special use permit, if one can’t follow normal procedures (Experimental…>Provisional…>Full registration), such as due to the pesticide law and occurrences of any unexpected pest incidences. (from 2016 it was not allowed to obtain such a permit)
As more foreign companies entered the Myanmar market, pesticide regulations for registration is becoming more difficult and strict. For example, during the Board 25th meeting 500 applications were submitted, but some 200 out of the 500 applications were was rejected or delayed because of missing analytical data. Currently, after the new 2016 Pesticide law was passed, there has been confusion, making registration difficult.
To ensure the security of food and the environment, and to normalize the market, the pesticide board successively enacted new pesticide regulations. In the 27th Board, it announced 13 a.i. to temporarily close acceptance of registrations until the 30th board meeting. This will affect Carbendazim, Mancozeb, 2,4-D, Glyphosate, Paraquat, Abamectin, Acephate, Cartap Hydrochloride, Chlorpyrifos, Cypermethrin, Fipronil, Imidacloprid and Lambda-cyhalothrin. Also, any products of technical grade and formulations, including the a.i. mentioned above, will not be allowed to submit applications during this period. At the 28th Board, 19 products were banned for registration permanently, including Trichlorfon, Magnesium Phosphide, Carbofuran, Carbendazim, Benomyl, Glufosinate-ammonium, Tridemorph, Diafenthiuron, Terbufos, Borax Decahydrate, Hydramethylnon,Metaflumizone, Mineral Oil, Boric Acid, Brodifacoum, Bromadiolone, Methamidophos and Alluminium Phosphide.
Until now, 29 Board meetings have been held with a total of 3500 registered products and nearly 290 distributors.
In recent years, the Pesticide Board launched serious and periodical inspections of the pesticide supply chain from imports to end users. Once containers arrive at the port, samples of each product from each packing specification will be taken randomly for PPD analysis. If lab test results are not qualified, containers will be returned. For labels, they must indicate clearly the registration number, batch number, manufacturing date, expiry date and hazard class. Otherwise, they will not allow to be sold in the market. If illegal pesticides are discovered in the market, such as smuggled products coming across the border, the related companies will face a large penalty or their represntatives could even be jailed.
Although the new rules are stricter, they are fair for the legal suppliers and distributors who seek to compete in the market. Finally, the farmers will benefit from better quality products.
Registration Service
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If you are interested in the Myanmar market, do not hesitate contacting us at [email protected] and [email protected]
We warmly welcome your visiting our office at: Kan Yeik Thar Lane (1), FMI City, FL-22 Hlaing Tharyar Township, Yangon, Myanmar.
Source: AgroNews
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