On 23 Jan 2018, China MoA’s website released 6 guidance documents to clarify the administrative formalities of pesticide and fertilizer registration. The documents are compiled as per the requirements of State Council on standardization of administrative approval.

On 29 Dec 2017, China ICAMA opened a 60-day consultation on the” Pesticide guidelines for large area field efficacy trials”. China implemented new registration data requirements on 1 Nov 2017 in which a 1-year large area efficacy trial conducted in 2 different administrative regions will be required for registration of new agricultural and environmental use pesticides of chemical, biochemical, microbial and botanical origin.

On 25 Dec 2017, China MOA and MEP jointly solicited public comments on a draft of “Administration Measures for the Recycling and Disposal of Pesticide Packaging Waste”. The draft defines the obligation and requirements on the collection, transportation, transfer, storage and disposal of pesticide packaging waste. The expense will be borne by pesticide producers and dealers.

On 4 Dec 2017 China MIIT opened a 30-day consultation on the pending mandatory standard, “Fertilizer Grading and Requirements”. Depending on hazard identification result and harmful substance content, all fertilizers will be rated and labeled as ecological grade fertilizer, field grade fertilizer and garden grade fertilizer, which correspond to their permitted application area of organic agriculture, ordinary agriculture and garden use respectively.   All commercial fertilizers will be labeled and rated as ecological grade, field grade and garden grade, which correspond to their permitted application area of organic agriculture, ordinary agriculture and garden use respectively; Fertilizers with higher grade are subject to more stringent requirements on hazards, maximal limits of heavy metals, organic and microbial contaminants and veterinary antibiotics; Terrestrial plant growth test would be required for novel products prior to the placement on the market; Disclosure of plant growth hormone ingredient and raw materials in ecological grade fertilizers will be mandatorily required;

On 27th Nov 2017, China MoA officially released the expert panelists of the 9th National Committee on Pesticide Registration. The panelists were nominated on the commendation of government departments including MIIT, MEP, NHFPC, AQSIQ, SAWS and CFDA to fit specific personnel composition requirements as designated by the MoA earlier this year. Nominations were open to public consultation since 17th of October 2017. The new committee will offer technical advice in accordance with the new data requirements, which entered into force on 1 Nov 2017.

On 17 Nov 2017, the Chinese State Council's Legislative Affairs Office released the draft of “Regulation for the Prevention and Management of Agricultural Pests” and will solicit public comments until 17 Dec 2017. The draft was compiled by the MoA and clarifies the responsibilities of government departments at all levels and entities engaged in agricultural production and pest control service, as well as standardizes the practices of pest monitoring, forecast, prevention and control.

Dozens of Shandong pesticide producers have already been ordered to halt operations starting from 15 Nov 2017 to 15 Mar 2018. Moreover, Jilin, Sichuan and Henan provinces have also joined the campaign meaning 34 cities in 8 provinces are now affected. In these regions there are hundreds of pesticide and intermediate producers in various scales so we can expect high prices to continue throughout next year.

On 10 Nov 2017, China ICAMA opened a 30-day consultation on the “Guideline on Pesticide Residue Trials on Crop”. As a vital component of pesticide management, residue trial provides scientific justification for MRL development and good agricultural practice for pesticide application, which is of great significance in ensuring food safety.

On 2 Nov2017, China ICAMA released 3 draft guidelines for health risk assessment of pesticide and will solicit public opinion until 2 Dec 2017. All drafts are compiled under voluntary agricultural standards.

On 17 Oct 2017, China MoA disclosed the expert panelists nominated for the forthcoming 9th National Committee on Pesticide Registration for public consultation until 31 Oct 2017.