After almost about 19 years of The Pesticides Act of Bhutan, 2000, the Pesticides Rules and Regulations of Bhutan, 2019 (PRR 2019) was developed and came into force on 1st May 2019. The PRR 2019 was developed by the National Plant Protection Center and the Department of Agriculture, jointly.
The First Pesticides Board Meeting was convened at the Ministry’s Conference Hall chaired by the Hon’ble Secretary of MoAF, DashoRinzin Dorji, who is also the Chairperson of the Pesticides Board. The Board meeting was attended by the Director General of BAFRA, Director of Trade, Director of Department of Agriculture, representatives from the Department of Livestock and National Environment Commission. The Department of Public Health, who is also the member of the Pesticides Board could not attend due to an urgent prior engagement.
The Board meeting kick-started with an opening note by the Director, Department of Agriculture and welcome address by the Chairperson. The Chairperson stressed the importance of the meeting, keeping in view the Pesticides Act of Bhutan 2000, its safety issues and taking in to view the whole value chain of production. Due importance was also on the national organic flagship program where the future vision of organic production is expressed.
Following the welcome address by the Chair, the NPPC presented on the overview of the PRR 2019, listing and delisting of pesticides (both synthetic and bio-pesticides), including the new pesticide (ethoxysulfuron 15% WDG) and other issues that required Board’s endorsement and advice.
