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. 

Health Canada intends to stop granting new conditional registrations of pesticides since June 1, 2016. This is an important step in improving the openness and transparency of Canada’s pesticide regulatory system.Moving away from conditional registrations will provide reassurance that all pesticide registration decisions are made with the same high level of scientific and public scrutiny. 

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.

  The Brazilian National Surveillance Agency (ANVISA), Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (MAPA) and Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (IBAMA) are pushing forward the simplification of toxicological evaluation during registration alteration, which includes the alteration, inclusion and exclusion of manufacturer of an existing registered technical product.

“Zero growth” of pesticide industry laid the basic development tone of pesticide industry in 2015.  In the year of 2015, the government has issued lots of policies to management the pesticide industry.

In general, pesticide production growth in 2015 has been slow down and decreased for the first time among the last 5 years. According to data of National Bureau of Statistic of China, the pesticide exportation amount from January to November is 138.15 million tones and decreased by 9.2% comparing to 2014. The exportation value also declined from 87.60 billion USD in 2014 to 66.70 billion USD in 2015 for the previous 11 months.

On 20th November, the EU approved the active substances flumetralin, mandestrobin, and flupyradifurone as candidates for substitution, in accordance with Regulation （EC） No 1107/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning the placing of plant protection products on the market, and amending Commission Implementing Regulation （EU） No 540/2011. Additionally, the regulation reminds to concern the protection of pesticide operator and the potential risk towards environment and creatures.

After Zero Growth of Pesticide Policies was issued, more and more Chinese pesticide manufacturers are trying to explore international market and achieved progress. In 2014, the total pesticide exportation volume from China to Latin America is 0.5 million tons valuing 35.8 billion USD. There are many countries in Latin America and Chinese manufacturers have covered 32 out of 34 Latin countries. The export value to top 10 countries accounts for more than 90% total export value. The well-performed manufacturers include Rainbow Chem., Fuhua Tongda, Youth Chem., Wynca, Red Sun, Ninhuang, and Jiangshan Argochem exporting more than 1 billion USD respectively.

2015 is the last year of 12th Five Year Plan (FYP), lots of discussion about 13th FYP have been conducted recently. During 15th National Pesticide Communication Conference, Mr. Cao Chengyu, the vice secretary-general of the China Pesticide Industry Association shared the results of 12th FYP.

Recently, the 19th Pesticide Information Exchange Conference was held in Nanjing. Vice director of ICAMA Mr. Zhao Yonghui presented on “Pesticide registration management and company’s precautions”. Mr. Zhao interpreted assessment factors in pesticide registration, and concerns of pesticide registration, and introduced document authorization, pharmacodynamic test and risk assessment when registering pesticides. Apart from that, Mr. Zhao has also summarized practical advice for 13 pesticides to help companies avoid detours in registration, which covers some popular products in market as followed: