On 23 May 2016, China Ministry of Agriculture issued the Announcement 2405 to promulgate 64 pesticide industry standards to be in force on 1 Oct 2016, of which 7 standards are firstly enacted for pesticide environmental risk assessment.

Joint FAO/WHO Meeting on Pesticide Residues (JMPR) was held at WHO Headquarters, Geneva (Switzerland), from 9 to 13 May 2016. 

On 9  May 2016, China MoA solicited public opinions to impose the control measure on 8 pesticides. The domestic use of 2,4-D butylate and paraquat would be phased out and the use flubendiamide on rice will be prohibited as of 1 Jul 2018. The exportation of the concerning pesticides will remain unaffected.

As a preliminary and essential step in registering a pesticide finished product in China, the applicant should obtain the field trial approval from the MoA. Efficacy and residue studies can be then performed in accordance with full registration requirements. The MoA Order 10 “Data Requirement on Pesticide Registration” was issued in 2008 to specify the requirement for each category of pesticide. The success rate of field trial application decreased from over 90% in 2007 to less than 70% in 2009. ICAMA has summarized the most common problem during field trail application and efficacy study to help applicants better understands data requirements. Field Trial Application General Requirement Applicants are required to fill the “Application form of Field Trial for Pesticide Registration” including the following details: Data Requirement for Field Trial Application   New Pesticide New Formulation Me-too Product Novelty containing on AI(active ingredient )which was not yet registered in China or the active ingredient was within the 6 years’ data protection period containing on AI which was already registered in China, but differ from previously registered product in formulation type, AI composition (AI of single compound formulation or the combination and ratio of the AIs in multiple compound formulation) or content level Formulation , AI combination/ratio and content level were identical to the product previously registered in China Product Chemistry Summary on the active ingredient, technical material and formulation; Summary on the active ingredient and formulation If the product contains active ingredient which was previously registered but under data protection in China, the applicant should provide the infor

On 22 April 2016,China ICAMA issued the 4th batch of pesticide product to be approved in 2016 for public consultation until 28 April 2016.

On 5 Apr 2016, China ICAMA issued the 3rd batch of pesticide Product to be approved in 2016 for public consultation until 11 April 2016.

On 14th Mar 2016, China ICAMA issued the “Draft List of Pesticide, Crop and Target Combinations for the Minor Use Pesticide Registration Program” for public consultation until 28th Mar 2016, which consists of 2627 pesticide/crop/pest combinations, covering 111 crops, 250 pesticides and 240 pests/diseases.

China’s No.1 Central Document focuses on agriculture has been issued at the end of last month. Among the document, government’s attitude towards GMO (Genetically Modified Organism) industry has turned around which has arouse heat discussions.It can be found that GMO word has been proposed for 8 times in No.1 Central Document since 2007, among which “GMO” has been proposed for 7 times and GMO similar concept has been proposed for 1 time. Being an important policy document from the China central government, this indicates the Chinese government’s attitude towards GMO. 

In the past 3 months, it is said that Monsanto is also interested in acquising Syngenta, but ChemChina and Syngenta have finally reached the acquisition agreement in which the Board of Directors of Syngenta AG (“Syngenta” “Company”) unanimously recommends ChemChina's offer to purchase 100% of Syngenta’s equity. 

The 18th pesticide registration committee conference has been held on Dec. 15th of 2015 in Beijing. The conference reviewed pesticide products that applied for registration. The conference has been discussed the following topics: Review opinions on pesticides that applied for pesticide registration. Toxic reviewing principle on relief of residual test of low toxic seed treatment products. Registration advice on 2,4-D butylate product. Registration advice on aluminium phosphide products. Registration advice on dicofol products.