According to the announcement published by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) on 11 October, all newly approved pesticides were of low or slight toxicity.
They were mostly in water-based formulations such as water-dispersible granules, emulsifiable concentrates, and suspension concentrates, with low organic solvent content and minimal environmental impact.
The higher proportion of biopesticides approval reflected the government’s commitment to sustainable agricultural practices.
Out of the seven actives, four were developed by local enterprises or research institutions and were on par with the leading products on the market.
MARA highlighted that this marked significant progress in China’s independent innovation capabilities.
In addition to the seven active ingredients, MARA also approved 13 finished products.
More to come
The ministry said it would continue to support innovation and development in pesticides with several measures.
It plans to enhance legal and institutional safeguards for new innovations by implementing the newly revised Measures for the Administration of Pesticide Registration.
The measures specify data protection for the first registration of new pesticides to enhance institutional support for pesticide innovation and development.
Next, it aims to improve the efficiency and accessibility of pesticide registration services by enhancing its consultation system for new pesticide registration and providing one-on-one technical guidance to help firms overcome challenges during the process.
The ministry will also continue hosting “Open Day” events for enterprises.
Lastly, MARA said it would optimise approval procedures by maintaining a green channel for biopesticides and new products that replace highly toxic pesticides.
It will also increase review meeting frequency and accelerate registration to speed up market entry.
These efforts aim to maintain the momentum for sustainable agricultural development and support China’s long-term goal of reducing chemical pesticide use while maintaining effective crop protection.
By combining innovation, environmental responsibility, and policy guidance, China is seeking to strengthen the resilience and sustainability of its agricultural sector.
In recent years, China’s regulatory framework for pesticides has undergone significant enhancements as it aligns with the global movement to reduce dependency on chemicals and promote greener solutions.
It notably achieved its “zero growth” policy for pesticide use ahead of its 2020 schedule.
Overall, regulators have strengthened their registration and approval processes and implemented stricter environmental and safety regulations.
It has updated labelling and packaging requirements, aligning it with international standards, and also increased controls over pesticide exports to ensure a stronger supply chain.
