Regarding the governmental
decision to restrict paraquat in China, which has already witnessed
the official announcement since April 24, 2012, Mr. Pierre Cohadon, China
Territory Head of Syngenta, released his exclusive and constructive opinions in
the E-mail interview achieved by CCM
International.
Background:
On April 24, 2012, three Chinese
governmental departments including the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA), Ministry
of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) and General Administration of
Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) jointly released an
official announcement that all paraquat SL should be withdrawn from the whole
Chinese market after July 1, 2016. And the relevant administrative sanctions
(registration and production permit) of paraquat products, covering TK, SL and
mixed SL, will also be stopped from that day. (Herbicides China News 1205: China takes
restriction on paraquat)
J: How does Syngenta understand
the government decision of paraquat regulation in China?
Mr. Cohadon: It is important to
understand that this decision is not a ban on paraquat. In fact, recognizing
the significant benefits that paraquat brings to Chinese farmers and
agricultural productivity, the government requests a small number of providers
including Syngenta to develop alternative formulations. In its announcement,
the government clearly states an intention to "keep human safety and
ensure the safe production of paraquat". The steps being taken are
considered to be "restrictive management measures" only.
The Chinese government has taken
steps which would help address the problem of intentional paraquat abuse. In
terms of suicide with paraquat, however, we consider that the issue of suicide
in rural communities of China
has much more complex causes rather than just the availability of farm chemicals.
In our points of view, removing one means of suicide from many others is
unlikely to make any impact on the overall suicide level. (Our most recent data
show that paraquat was used in less than 1% of all pesticide-related suicides
in China).
The decision will not have wider
global implications and we fully expect that millions of growers around the
world including China
will continue to use paraquat safely and effectively. Paraquat will still be
available in China,
albeit in different formulations (if they can be developed). The product has
been used safely by millions of farmers around the world for almost 50 years
and is highly effective in the control of a wide spectrum of weeds. Paraquat is
becoming even more important for weed control as labour shortage continues and
cost increases.
The government's decision
provides a phaseout of liquid formulations of paraquat for us. No new
registrations of liquid paraquat (only for liquid formulations) will be allowed
from mid-2014 and then there will also be a period of two years for the
manufacturers to run down the stocks. It means that after mid-2016, liquid
paraquat formulations will not be available in China, but other alternative
formulations of paraquat can still be available, if they are developed.
J: What is Syngenta's attitude
towards paraquat restriction in China?
Mr. Cohadon: Syngenta firmly
believes that the safty assurance of paraquat is the key to the sustainable
management of the product. We are committed to ensuring the management
framework of healthy products, in order to support the safe use of paraquat,
regardless of the formulation.
As mentioned just now, we
consistently consider that the poisoning trait of paraquat is not the most key
factor in terms of suicide with paraquat. Suicide in rural communities in China has much
more complex causes rather than merely the availability of farm chemicals.
Removing one means of suicide from many others can't cure the self-harm
problem.
We also believe that it is very
important for farmers to have access to this important product. The product has
been popular in the world for almost 50 years, and it will still contribute
much to the control of a wide spectrum of weeds.
J: What measures Syngenta is
going to take in the face of this regulation?
Mr. Cohadon: Syngenta, together
with other members of the China Paraquat Stewardship Alliance Working Group
(CPSAWG) led by the China Crop Protection Industry Association (CCPIA), fulfill
the commitments towards MOA and ICAMA to ensure that millions of Chinese
farmers have safe access to the best available technology.
We will continue to work closely
with the government as we look at the viability of developing alternative
formulations. Developing alternatives that are both safe and economically
feasible will be challenging.
The access to technology is
crucial for maximizing productivity and it can help the Chinese government
achieve its stated objective of 95% food self sufficiency. We are also
committed to working with the multitude of stakeholders to minimize the risk of
paraquat abuse.
All member companies of the
CPSAWG are committed to strengthening overall management of the product.
Key interventions include:
1. Stringent adherence to
National Quality Standards and the FAO Specifications for paraquat
It would assure the quality of
product available in the market including sufficient amount of emetic and
olfactory stench (as an alerting agent). Moreover, strong enforcement against
off-spec products would help reduce inappropriate access via volume control.
2. Extensive training for growers
and users in safe and responsible use of agrochemicals
In cooperation with the National
Agro-Tech Extension Service Centre of the Ministry of Agriculture (NATESC),
Syngenta China
conducts training projects in over 20 provinces.
About two million farmers have
been given training since the launch of the program in 2000 and such training
will be extended to bring about general improvement in agricultural practices
of all agrochemicals. The training will have a specific focus on safe storage
practices, such as distribution and promotion of lockable boxes, so as to
reduce inappropriate access for impulsive acts.
Surveys carried out since 2004 by
independent market researchers and published in peer reviewed journals in 2008
and 2009 have revealed that over half of nearly 9,000 knapsack users applying
crop protection products in 26 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America
received information or training on safe use in the past several years. The
findings indicate that those with recent training are reported fewer incidents.
3. Broaden training to frontline
medical professionals on better diagnosis and treatment of poisoning incidents.
This will result in improved
intervention treatment—an important area often highlighted by international
suicide prevention experts. Treatment guidelines, urine test kits and treatment
aides such as activated charcoal are also distributed to trained medical
professionals at clinics and hospitals to facilitate effective diagnosis and
treatment of patients.
4. Establishment of an Adverse
Health Incident (AHI) Management System and Database
To complement enhanced medical
training, CPSAWG member companies have established a common AHI management
system and database that can be accessed 24 hours toll free via a telephone
hotline (the number of which will be printed on product labels). This will
further ensure prompt medical advice to be given to primary care health
providers, especially those in rural areas. The data collated will also provide
a reliable benchmark on the effectiveness of the management measures.
With these undertakings, Syngenta
along with other members of the CPSAWG are confident that the comprehensive
Stewardship Plan will contribute significantly towards the MOA's and ICAMA's
objectives—managing product abuse while ensuring that Chinese farmers have
access to the best possible technology to maximize their productivity.
J: How does Syngenta consider the
emerging market of China?
Mr. Cohadon: China is an
important market for Syngenta and we remain committed to developing our
business here.
China feeds 20% of the global population with just 7% of
the world's arable land. The government is committed to improving agricultural
productivity, which will be well supported by reforms in the seed and crop
protection industries.
And Syngenta is committed to
supporting the government in achieving its objectives for agriculture. We are
working on this through introducing the best possible technology with
integrated offers that are innovative and can be applied on a large scale.
Through integration and innovation, we are confident that we can help Chinese
agriculture outperform and meet the government's ambitious objectives for food
security.
Thank Syngenta for the
contribution to this article, and some of the content was edited jointly by
Syngenta and CCM International.
(Relative discussions about
paraquat restriction in China
were mentioned separately in Herbicides China News 1109: Worries about paraquat
aroused in China, issue
1202: Sensible supervision better than blind restriction on paraquat and issue
1205: China
takes restriction on paraquat.)
Source: Herbicides China News 1206
http://www.cnchemicals.com/Newsletter/NewsletterDetail_11.html
Content of Herbicides China
News 1206:
Paraquat won't die in China
Huayang Group wants to quit from
Huayang Technology
Jiangsu Jiannong seeks boom in
ABA Chemicals
Yifan Biotechnology gains formal
clodinafop-propargyl registration
Lianshui Yongan upgrades
pendimethalin manufacture
Good Harvest-Weien gets 1st
formal ethofumesate registration in China
State-owned enterprises lead
pesticide integration
Quiet Battle between Roundup and Chinese glyphosate
Diquat capacity to increase in China
Trifluralin sales slacks in June
Sevencontinent Green welcomes
metribuzin sales tide
Glufosinate-ammonium supply
intense
Glyphosate meets normal supply in
Biok K.P.
Herbicide price remains flat this
June
… …
Herbicides China News, a monthly
publication issued by CCM International on 15th of every
month,
provides you with the latest occurrences, exclusive analysis on the market
trend as well as professional reviews on competitiveness of companies, products
and relative industries in China’s
herbicide industry.
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