China launches a pilot program of issuing release permits of pesticide import and export at provinci
China has launched a pilot program in Zibo City, Shandong Province on October 29th to authorize the Shandong Provincial Institute for the Control of Agrochemicals to issue pesticide import and export release permits. Over 150 participants attended the ceremony including leaders, experts and representatives from Department of Science and Technology of General Administration of Customs (Office of National Electronic Port), MOA Information Center, Shandong Department of Agriculture, Zibo Municipal Government and pesticide enterprises.
In his speech at the ceremony,
ICAMA Director General, Sui Pengfei emphasized that the authorization of provincial institutes for the control of agrochemicals to issue pesticide import and export release permits is an important step in promoting the integration of pesticide regulation at the ministerial and provincial levels. It is an attempted innovation of China''s pesticide import and export regulation system which reflects the idea of "serving the enterprises and harmonizing with international practices". Therefore, it represents a milestone achievement for China''s pesticide import and export regulation.
Sui pointed out that, China has become a major producer, consumer and trader of pesticide in the world and the international pesticide trade is an important driving force for the steady and rapid development of the Chinese pesticide industry. In 2011, China''s pesticide export totaled 6.187 billion US dollar, up by 27.62% than 2010. China has been improving its mechanisms and services to adapt to new trends in the rapid growth of pesticide trade, and fully comply with the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade.
In 2010, China established the world''s first online verification system for pesticide import and export, which forms a network of electronic regulation of pesticide import and export. The launch of this system has given a hard blow to the manufacturing and trade of illegal products including unregistered products, further standardized pesticide import and export, improved the image of "made in China" in the international market, and thus helped to build a favorable domestic and international environment for the healthy development of the Chinese pesticide industry. ICAMA has noticed with delight that the launch of the online verification system has aroused extensive attention both from the Chinese society and International community. Major media in China, like People''s Daily and Chinese Government Website have reported on this move. FAO, European Union, and many developed countries including USA and Australia have praised China for its regulation on pesticide import and export, which is considered as a model of success in the world.
Sui has made the following requests to the Shandong Provincial Institute for the Control of Agrochemicals in its implementation of the pilot program: first, to establish the principle of "providing convenience to enterprises, enhancing efficiency, and integrating regulation at the provincial and ministerial levels", and continuously improve working mechanism and conditions; second, to take initiative to explore new ways and methods of regulating pesticide import and export to provide more streamlined, efficient, and higher-quality service to enterprises; third, to review its work regularly while carrying out the pilot program to accumulate experiences for the expected expansion of the program to the whole nation.
The ceremony was chaired by ICAMA Deputy Director General Gu Baogen. After the ceremony, a training course was held on the implementation of the pilot program to teach relevant government officials and staff from pesticide manufacturing, importing or exporting enterprises to use the new system for applying for and reviewing pesticide import and export release permits.
(Source: Toxicology Division, ICAMA)