In the context that many agricultural import markets continuously have new regulations on maximum allowable pesticide residue levels (MRL), Mr. Nguyen Quang Hieu - Deputy Director of the Plant Protection Department (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development) has made recommendations to farmers.
Mr. Nguyen Quang Hieu - Deputy Director of Plant Protection Department (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development).
Mr. Nguyen Quang Hieu - Deputy Director of the Plant Protection Department (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development) gave recommendations to farmers on the use of pesticides for crops at the Seminar: Research, development and management of pesticides recently organized by the Plant Protection Department, Croplife Vietnam Association, Vietnam Pesticide Production and Trading Enterprises Association (VIPA) and Nong Thon Ngay Nay/Dan Viet newspaper.
As an essential tool to protect crops from diseases and pests, up to now, there is still a situation of overuse of pesticides. How is the management of pesticides currently being carried out, sir?
- Pesticides are one of the essential tools to protect crops from pests, ensure food safety and improve agricultural productivity. However, we must also admit that, if not used properly, pesticides can cause unwanted effects on the environment and human health. Therefore, finding and applying solutions to manage and use pesticides safely and effectively is an urgent task and requires the cooperation of all relevant parties.
The model of using plant protection drugs was implemented by the Plant Protection Department in coordination with the Croplife Vietnam Association in Dong Thap. Photo: AT
Plant protection drugs are conditional business goods in Group 2 according to the provisions of Circular No. 16/2021/TT-BNNPTNT, so after registering in the List of plant protection drugs permitted for use in Vietnam, organizations and individuals need to certify product quality conformity before circulating on the market.
Over the years, the Plant Protection Department has coordinated with associations to implement long-term programs to provide detailed instructions and necessary technical support so that farmers and businesses can use pesticides safely, minimize potential risks, and meet the requirements of domestic and international markets.
Regarding the management of plant protection drugs, in the current period, the system of legal documents has been fully and synchronously built from laws, decrees to guiding circulars to ensure the system and uniformity, harmony with regional and international standards in the process of economic integration, creating a solid legal framework, promoting the effectiveness of state management of plant protection drugs in the direction of strict control at all stages.
In addition, the assignment and decentralization in the management and supervision of the use of plant protection drugs have been clearly and strictly regulated in legal documents, raising awareness and responsibility of users of plant protection drugs in accordance with regulations to ensure safety for people, animals, plants, the environment and food safety.
According to Article 48 of the Law on Plant Protection and Quarantine, plant protection drugs are conditional business commodities and must be managed according to a list. Every year, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development issues a list of plant protection drugs permitted for use in Vietnam and a list of plant protection drugs prohibited for use in Vietnam. According to Circular 09/2023/TT-BNNPTNT dated October 24, 2023, there are currently more than 4,500 registered trade names permitted for use in Vietnam.
It has been 10 years now, and we have reviewed and found that the law is very stable. Organizations and individuals are allowed to import, produce, trade, sell and use pesticides in the list of pesticides permitted for use in Vietnam.
Farmers in Lap Vo district, Dong Thap collect pesticide containers and bring them to a disposal site according to regulations. Photo: AT
5 "golden" principles in using plant protection drugs
Mr. Nguyen Huu Quang - expert of CropLife Vietnam Association shared: 5 extremely important golden principles for us when using pesticides:
First, understand the safety instructions on the label. When buying, we must check how the medicine is packaged, whether the instructions are complete, and then when transporting the medicine, how to transport it...
Second, strictly follow the measuring ratio and instructions on which group of toxins the drug belongs to and how long the quarantine period is.
Third, protective gear must be used to ensure the safety of the sprayer.
Fourth, after spraying, if the tank still has a lot of pesticides, how to handle it, how to clean the tank... must be strictly followed.
Finally, follow personal hygiene after spraying. Thoroughly clean your eyes, nose, ears, hands, feet, and external body parts. The more you follow and clean, the safer it is.
According to you, what challenges is the Vietnamese plant protection industry facing in the process of implementing the policy of developing green and sustainable agriculture?
- In my opinion, the biggest challenge that the plant protection industry is facing today is how to understand pesticides correctly to use them properly, ensuring health and environmental safety as well as contributing to the sustainable development of the agricultural sector. Currently, due to climate change, new harmful organisms have appeared, so the list of pesticides also needs to keep up with the development of harmful organisms.
Besides, Vietnam's agricultural export market is currently expanding with impressive numbers, however all export markets have strict regulations on food safety and pesticide residues.
In the long term, these regulations will be increasingly improved, so user awareness also needs to be improved to ensure compliance with regulations not only in our country, but also to meet the requirements of export markets.
Currently, the Plant Protection Department has many programs to accompany businesses and farmers to meet the above requirements, such as organizing training courses, developing usage procedures; eliminating low-efficiency drugs that are harmful to human health and the environment; encouraging agencies and businesses to research and register new products with better efficacy.
As you shared, currently, all markets have strict regulations on residue control and food safety. What advice do you have for farmers to comply with them and bring Vietnamese agricultural products to conquer many markets?
- The residues of imported agricultural products of countries around the world currently comply with general regulations and may be required by the importing country and territory, and the general trend is to increasingly improve and tighten residues.
Information on changes in pesticide residue control levels is widely announced by the Vietnam National SPS Office and Enquiry Point under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (Vietnam SPS Office). The Office is responsible for announcing and enquiring about contents and regulations on food safety and animal and plant quarantine; requesting WTO member countries to provide information on measures and procedures for risk assessment, inspection, testing and other related issues on food safety and animal and plant quarantine.
Currently, we are moving towards sustainable agriculture, so it requires all people, cooperatives and businesses to be responsible in using pesticides safely, effectively and responsibly.
I think that fully understanding the regulations on the use of pesticides is very important. In the age of information technology and the internet, people can learn and equip themselves with knowledge, especially when supported by Big Data or AI technology - technologies that are being popularized so that everyone can use them.
I recommend that you be smart farmers and be responsible for your agricultural products by using effective and safe pesticides, ensuring pest control, safety for the environment and humans, and meeting export standards.
Thank you!
Source: https://danviet.vn/nong-dan-phai-la-nha-thong-thai-khi-su-dung-thuoc-bao-ve-thuc-vat-cho-cay-trong-20241110180404972.htm
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