Paraquat Won't Die in China

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Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) jointly released an official announcement that all paraquat SL should be withdrawn from the whole Chinese market after July 1, 2016.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 = Journalist of Herbicides China News)

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 15^th 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.

About CCM

CCM is dedicated to market research in China, Asia-Pacific Rim and global market. With a staff of more than 150 dedicated highly-educated professionals. CCM offers Market Data, Analysis, Reports, Newsletters, Buyer-Trader Information, Import/Export Analysis all through its new proprietary product ValoTracer.

For more information, please visit http://www.cnchemicals.com.

CCM International Ltd.
Guangzhou CCM Information Science & Technology Co., Ltd.
17th Floor, Huihua Commercial & Trade Mansion, No.80 Xianlie Zhong Road, Guangzhou 510070, China

Tel: 86-20-37616606

Email: econtact@cnchemicals.com

Source: http://www.cnchemicals.com/PressRoom/PressRoomDetail_w_1109.html

China Takes Restriction on Paraquat

CCM International have published the May Issue of Herbicides China News recently, focusing on paraquat restriction. Regarding whether paraquat will be restricted in China, 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 in response, that all paraquat SL is demanded to be withdrawn from the whole Chinese market after July 1, 2016. Accordingly, a series of relative detailed measures are mentioned in the announcement so as to back up this decision of paraquat restriction in China:

1. From April 24, 2012, China will stop approving new manufacturers of paraquat technical and formulation, stop accepting new applications of field experiment, registration and production permits for paraquat products (covering TK, SL and mixed SL), and stop sanctioning new registrations and production permits for paraquat products (covering TK, SL and mixed SL).

2. After July 1, 2014, all current registrations and production permits of paraquat SL and mixed paraquat SL will be canceled in China, except those in paraquat TK manufacturers for paraquat export to overseas market. And all products of paraquat SL are forbidden to sell and apply in China after July 1, 2016.

3. Rechecking all product labels and modifying all registrations and production permits according to the new standard. In detail, new standard demands that paraquat label should additionally include some key information such as first aid hotline and caution, and all registrations should additionally cover relative information of technical manufacturers such as manufacturer name. Thus, the unqualified new paraquat in label, registration or production permit is forbidden to come into the market after Jan. 1, 2013, and old paraquat registrations and production permits will also be canceled in the meantime. As to current paraquat products with old labels can be sold only before Dec. 31, 2013.

4. Current paraquat manufacturers in China must produce eligible paraquat products, which should be compounded with emetic, odor agents, colorant and so forth.

5. Paraquat manufacturers in China should enhance after-sale services including application instruction and first aid of poisoning. A series of protection methods in package such as thin bottleneck of paraquat bottle and medical active carbon are encouraged.

It can be observed that the restriction on paraquat of Chinese government was triggered directly by the suggestion from chemical experts of UN that paraquat dichlorid should be subject to the Prior Informed Consent (PIC) Procedure of The Rotterdam Convention, which was mentioned in March 2011. And this suggestion has already witnessed examination from Evaluation Committee of The Rotterdam Convention, and will be checked by the conference of contracting party in 2013. It means that paraquat will probably face the risk of being listed into PIC, which will impact on the circulation of paraquat in the world. (Herbicides China News 1109: Worries about paraquat aroused in China)

Coupled with the examination process in The Rotterdam Convention, China decided to restrict paraquat in domestic market, also considering its fatal poisoning trait as well as the future industrial development direction. As expected by Chinese government these years, pesticide market in China should be healthy, sustainable and people-oriented, rather than of overcapacity, stiff competitiveness and severe homogenization.

In the respect of industrial development in Chinese paraquat market, the restriction on paraquat in China will push the industrial integration to some degree, which is managed by the government currently in order to tackle overcapacity and severe homogenization in domestic pesticide market. In detail, weak small paraquat manufacturers who only aim at domestic market will be washed out, and the leading paraquat enterprises whose targets cover overseas market can stay to enjoy a potential easy circumstance. In other words, the future paraquat production in China is expected to centralize in strong paraquat players who own self-exported capacity, and the excess or weak paraquat capacity in China will be cut off in the meantime. It will be a good prospect for current Chinese paraquat industry, but the large Chinese market will also be shocked by paraquat restriction in the meantime.

In terms of current domestic paraquat market where paraquat LS is the major product category, the restriction on SL will make a large market gap if the proper substitutes can't appear in time. As a non-selective herbicide with so many years' promotion, paraquat has witnessed fast development in the past decades in China, and has been playing an increasingly important role in weed control of orchards, corn fields, no-tillage fields and mulberry fields. In accordance with CCM International's survey, the output of China's paraquat formulations has grown very fast from more than 40,000 tonnes in 2006 to nearly 80,000 tonnes in 2010, with the average annual growth rate of 20%, which is mainly attributed to the rapid growth of domestic and overseas demand for paraquat during this period.

Even though liquid paraquat formulation can be changed to non-liquid paraquat formulation, such as solid paraquat or powder-like paraquat, which haven't been listed into Chinese governmental restriction, the objective truth is that it will take lots of financial and human resources to develop the alternative formulations of paraquat in China and it will also take a long cycle to meet the outcome.

Of course, in a broader scope, other herbicides such as diquat also can be considered as substitutes. However, in consideration of characteristics about efficiency, residue, application cost and so forth, it seems that paraquat is the best of all contact-killing herbicides for the time being.

As to those potential survivors in Chinese paraquat revolution, they will also encounter large challenges in exploration of overseas market because frequent trade frictions and potential influence of The Rotterdam Convention will repress paraquat export further in a manner compared with the situation in the past. In fact, in the world, some countries such as Sweden, Denmark, Hungary and so forth are resistant to the paraquat application very much. Such resistance may upgrade if paraquat dichlorid is listed into PIC, and further impact on other original paraquat importers' decisions in the future trade.

At any rate, facing the restriction on paraquat in China, what paraquat players need to do at present is the timely strategic adjustment or effective product research. In fact, it can be said that the governmental restriction on paraquat in China is helpful indirectly for those aggressive enterprises with strong competitiveness.

(CCM International has already taken an interview about paraquat restriction in China with Syngenta, the largest paraquat manufacturer in the world. In the interview, Syngenta expressed its exclusive viewpoints. Please pay closely attention to the next issue of Herbicides China News)

Source: Herbicides China News 1205

http://www.cnchemicals.com/Newsletter/NewsletterDetail_11.html

Content of Herbicides China News 1205:

ChemChina runs asset reorganization in Sanonda

Asset exchange proceeds in Shandong Dacheng

Huapont invests in Wanquan Hongyu and Wanquan Kaidi

China takes restriction on paraquat

Jiangsu Huifeng promotes waste treatment

Noposion's net profit slipped by 25.24% in 2011

Jiangsu Repont prepares for relocation

Bispyribac-sodium registrations increase in Q1 2012

CS herbicides keep immature in China

Haloxyfop-R-methyl meets slow project in Jiangsu Weier

No acetochlor supplies in Shandong Zhongshi now

Good Harvest-Weien prepares glufosinate-ammonium and 2,4-D

Supply dynamics of pure pyridine in China of Q1 2012

Trifluralin meets price slip

… …

Herbicides China News, a monthly publication issued by CCM International on 15^th 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.

About CCM

CCM is dedicated to market research in China, Asia-Pacific Rim and global market. With a staff of more than 150 dedicated highly-educated professionals. CCM offers Market Data, Analysis, Reports, Newsletters, Buyer-Trader Information, Import/Export Analysis all through its new proprietary product ValoTracer.

For more information, please visit http://www.cnchemicals.com.

CCM International Ltd.
Guangzhou CCM Information Science & Technology Co., Ltd.
17th Floor, Huihua Commercial & Trade Mansion, No.80 Xianlie Zhong Road, Guangzhou 510070, China

Tel: 86-20-37616606

Email: econtact@cnchemicals.com

Source: http://www.cnchemicals.com/PressRoom/PressRoomDetail_w_1080.html

Sensible Supervision Better than Blind Restriction on Paraquat

Paraquat is a very common herbicide in the world, but its fatal poisoning trait always arouses great concerns in the whole pesticide industry. Especially triggered by the suggestion from chemical experts of UN that paraquat dichlorid should become subject to the Prior Informed Consent (PIC) Procedure of The Rotterdam Convention, which was mentioned in March 2011, an explosive rumor about probable restriction on paraquat by the Chinese government spreads like wildfire, and shakes every paraquat player in China, according to CCM International’s February Issue of Herbicides China News.

Because of the frequent occurrence of paraquat poisoning deaths in China these years, the Chinese government expresses concern currently. And related governmental departments are working hard to enhance the supervision on paraquat management. Some officials from the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) also pointed out that the government might take further restrictions on some pesticides in the near future, including paraquat, but no active policies has come out up to now in China.

In terms of paraquat pursuers in China, they have a great concern for the government's action towards paraquat because their future strategies about paraquat will be impacted by relative policies to some degree. In public, also, paraquat management in China has been disputed frequently. One opinion is to develop a new herbicide substitute for paraquat, and paraquat should be forbidden in the meantime in the wake of its sharp poisoning trait.

Regarding the dispute about whether paraquat should be forbidden or not in China, CCM International has discussed with Syngenta by E-mail, the largest paraquat player in the world at present. In the interview, Syngenta  expressed its exclusive viewpoints.

(J = Journalist of Herbicides China News, S = Syngenta)

J: Regarding recent rumor that China might take action to restrict paraquat, what is your opinion?

S: Syngenta welcomes the key elements of the proposal by MOA / ICAMA which focus on the stewardship. And Syngenta has an active dialogue with other producers in an effort to improve stewardship through the Paraquat Product Stewardship WorkGroup. We firmly believe that stewardship is a key to the safe use of the product. Thus we have invested in the safe use of paraquat in China through stewardship for many years, farmer support programs, and high quality formulations and packaging.

However, the restriction on paraquat in China should be considered carefully. The regrettable social phenomenon of suicide in rural communities of China has much more complex causes than the availability of farm chemicals. Removing one means of suicide from many others will not have any effect on the root causes of self-harm and is unlikely to make any impact on overall suicide levels. In fact, Syngenta's recent data show that paraquat is used in less than 1% of all pesticide-related suicides in China.

J: What's your suggestion about the stewardship of paraquat suicide in China?

S: The approach of a stewardship plan to manage the issue of suicide through ingestion of agricultural chemicals must involve multi stakeholders (e.g.: health, education, media and agriculture) and be on multi levels (regional, national and global). A comprehensive plan would include the management of access to the product, limitation of media publicity accompanied with the excessive reading of the product and the medical treatment improvement of poisoning.

China should strengthen the supervision of pesticide products as much as possible. For example, the package of liquid paraquat formulation nowadays should be improved—it should be packed in plastic bottle with thin bottleneck so that the liquid outflow time can be prolonged. Besides, liquid paraquat formulation can be changed to non-liquid paraquat formulation in public's advice, such as solid paraquat or powder-like paraquat.

Development of alternative formulations of paraquat will not be an easy or straightforward task as any alternative formulation would have to meet first and foremost the criteria of safety in normal use, as well as practical application and farmer affordability, whilst ensuring that the product continues to represent a viable business for manufacturers, its distributors and end-users.

Postscript from CCM International:

Statistics from CCM International show that there are more than 200 pesticide producers with paraquat production certificates in China. If paraquat was restricted in China, these enterprises will encounter great challenges and difficulties. The economic benefits that paraquat has brought to these enterprises and Chinese agriculture will vanish. Since paraquat is widely used in China, it is difficult to find a proper alternative and effective product to replace paraquat in a short time.

As a widely-used and eco-friendly herbicide with high efficiency, paraquat is still irreplaceable at present. As a non-selective herbicide with so many years' promotion, paraquat has witnessed fast development in the past decades in China, and has been playing an increasingly important role in weed control of orchards, corn fields, no-tillage fields and mulberry fields. China is the largest manufacturer of paraquat technical and formulations in the world.

According to the market report of Production and Market of Paraquat in China published by CCM International, as of May 2011, the paraquat technical capacity in China has reached 150,000t/a (calculated by 42% technical), maintaining the oversupply situation while the output of paraquat technical reached 120,000 tonnes in 2010 with the operating rate of 80%.

In accordance with CCM International's survey, the output of China's paraquat formulations has also grown very fast from more than 40,000 tonnes in 2006 to nearly 80,000 tonnes in 2010, with the average annual growth rate of 20%, which is mainly attributed to the rapid growth of domestic and overseas demand for paraquat during this period.

Thank Syngenta for contribution in this article and some contents were edited by Syngenta

(Similar report is mentioned in Herbicides China News 1109: Worries about paraquat aroused in China and Herbicides China News 0911: Controversy on paraquat poisoning: restricted or banned?)

Source: Herbicides China News 1202

http://www.cnchemicals.com/Newsletter/NewsletterDetail_11.html

Content of Herbicides China News 1202:

Sensible supervision better than blind restriction on paraquat

Huapont plans to invest in Brazilian market

Jiangsu Kuaida upgrades by relocation

Jiangsu Huifeng to meet expiration of diflufenican registration

Kunshan Raiser relocates into Binhai Industry Park

Glyphosate regulation in environmental protection enhanced

New tries in other industries become a trend

EU withdraws approval in acetochlor registration

Four export-oriented herbicides registered initially in H2 2011

Shandong Tianyuansen explores pyridine production

Sanonda to launch 2,4-D business

Jiangsu Changqing meets intense fomesafen supply

Shandong Yuhuang slacks its 75,000t/a EA project

Price Review in Feb. 2012

Glyphosate price remains stable in Feb.

Herbicides China News, a monthly publication issued by CCM International on 15^th 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.

About CCM

CCM is dedicated to market research in China, Asia-Pacific Rim and global market. With a staff of more than 150 dedicated highly-educated professionals. CCM offers Market Data, Analysis, Reports, Newsletters, Buyer-Trader Information, Import/Export Analysis all through its new proprietary product ValoTracer.

For more information, please visit http://www.cnchemicals.com.

CCM International Ltd.
Guangzhou CCM Information Science & Technology Co., Ltd.
17th Floor, Huihua Commercial & Trade Mansion, No.80 Xianlie Zhong Road, Guangzhou 510070, China

Tel: 86-20-37616606

Email: econtact@cnchemicals.com

Source: http://www.cnchemicals.com/PressRoom/PressRoomDetail_w_984.html