Chinese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs stresses strict control over excess capacity to gradually phase out outdated capacity

The Chinese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs recently replied to a proposal on the optimization of the agriculture-related administrative licensing system. 

The reply again emphasized that China needs to build a modern pesticide production system, strictly control the excess capacity, gradually eliminate outdated production capacity, promote the transformation, and upgrade the pesticide industry towards sustainable and healthy development.

The main contents of the reply are as follows:

1. Pesticide production licensing system: The Ministry emphasized that the pesticide production licensing system is essential to ensure the safety of agricultural production, the quality of farm products and the ecological environment. Currently, the pesticide production license is valid for five years; a 90-day advance application for renewal is required. 

   
   

2. Existing measures: The ministry has taken several measures to standardize the administration of pesticide production licensing.

   
   

1. To improve the rules and regulations, refine the application documentation, and review the process, content, and conclusion. These are the basic rules and regulations for approval of pesticide production licenses. 

   
   

2. To strengthen planning guidance and daily supervision. The ministry proposed building a modern pesticide production system and strengthening planning guidance regarding optimizing production layout, improving industrial concentration, adjusting product structure, and promoting green and clean production. The local agricultural and rural departments must strictly examine and approve pesticide production licensing, encourage pesticide enterprises to merge and reorganize to grow bigger and stronger, strictly control the approval of excess capacity, gradually eliminate outdated capacity, promote a clean, low-carbon and cyclic development of pesticide production, promote the transformation and upgrading of the pesticide industry towards sustainable and healthy growth.

   
   

3. To strengthen training service and carry out pesticide management, administrative examination and approval-related training for enterprises via pesticide administration training courses, set up a hotline to respond to the problems and claims of local agencies and pesticide manufacturers promptly, and provide the correct interpretation of relevant policies such as pesticide production licensing.

   
   

3. Local practices: The provinces of Jiangsu, He’nan and others have taken measures such as early reminders and expert guidance to assist enterprises in submitting an application for license renewal on time.

   
   

4. Future plan: The ministry said it would further optimize the license approval process, strengthen training and guidance for enterprises and alert enterprises to renew on time in various ways to promote the high-quality development of the pesticide industry.

See Agenda