On 25 Jun 2017, China MoA issued an opinion regarding a developmental program for the pesticide industry. The document proposes production plant relocation, reduction of generic product and improvent on qualification rate, as well as new management policies on pesticide registration, production approval and marketing approval. A 3-elements approval system was established under China’s new pesticide regulation, which took effect on 1 June this year. MoA expects the regulatory reform would help to promote food safety and realize safety and environmental improvements in pesticide production methods.

On 21 Jun 2017, China MoA issued Ministerial Orders 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 of 2017, promulgating 5 administrative measures for new pesticide regulation. The draft measures were initially circulated for inter-ministerial consultation in early April and the second drafts were subject to public comment and feedback in late April and finally approved under MoA’s executive meeting on 1 Jun 2017.

On 9 May 2017, Chinese National Health and Family Planning Commission(NHFPC) issued a circular regarding textual amendment on the “Measures for the Hygienic Administrative License of New Disinfectant and Water Related Products”. These amendments were made under the reform of administrative approval system and function transferring from Health Supervision Center(HSC) to the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC).

On 26 May 2017, China ICAMA announced the suspension of acceptance and approval of pesticide field trial and temporary registration starting from 1 June 2017. Companies engaged in pesticide production, marketing and testing institutions may continue their operation activities prior to the effectiveness of supporting rules for the new pesticide regulation

On 12 May 2017, China MoA invited departmental consultation to ban/restrict the agricultural uses of 5 active ingredients including endosulfan, bromnomenthane, acephate, carbosulfan and dimethoate.

According to the China Crop Protection Industry Association, the top 100 Chinese agrochemical companies achieved total sales of 109.87 billon CNY in 2016, representing a contrarian increase of 5.81% on previous year of 103.84. The qualifying criterion for the ranking list declined by 5% to a minimum of 303 million CNY.

The Brazilian MAPA has drafted a list of products which will be subject to priority review in 2017, which was discussed with IBAMA and ANVISA during the 2nd regular meeting of CTA (Technical Advisory Committee of Pesticide). 53 pesticides were included into the list, of which 26 are insecticides, 20 are herbicides and 7 are fungicides.

China National Agricultural Technology Extension and Service Center (NATESC) recently warned of outbreaks of rice stem borer in southern paddy regions. Rice crops would be threatened due to the elevated insect population and resistance to insecticides including chlorantraniliprole, chlorpyrifos, triazophos and abamectin, etc.

On 29 April 2017, Chinese Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) released Announcement 25 of 2017 regarding the merger of Dow Chemical and Dupont. MOFCOM started the anti-monopoly probe in March 2016 and has deemed that the merger would result in a monopoly and impact competition in China’s paddy insecticide and selective herbicide sector, as well as the global acid copolymers and ionomers market. Despite this result, the government can still approve this merger provided the two MNCs fulfill major obligations

On 27th Apr 2017, China MoA issued an announcement opening up a 30-day public comment period on 5 draft supporting rules for China’s new pesticide regulation.