Govt asked to screen pesticide importers<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Crop Protection Industry
\nAssociation (AIPTI) urged the government to screen potential
\nimporters of pesticides and pesticide formulas.<\/p>\n
AIPTI chairman Joko Suwondo said on Thursday tighter selection
\nand registration of importers with the Ministry of Agriculture's
\nPesticide Commission would enable the government to control the
\nuse of pesticides and more effectively protect domestic
\nindustries.<\/p>\n
He also said controlled imports would protect local farmers
\nfrom fraudulent products and help them select the most
\nappropriate pesticides for their crops.<\/p>\n
\"The government should only give import licenses to domestic
\ncrop-protection producers,\" Joko told a business meeting.<\/p>\n
He said most current importers did not care about the negative
\neffects of pesticides on crops, farmers and the environment.<\/p>\n
Edible Plants and Horticulture director general Chairil Anwar
\nRasahan said the domestic use of pesticides had decreased
\nsteadily over the past three years, from 80,205 tons in 1996 to
\n64,697 tons in 1997 and 50,966 tons in 1998.<\/p>\n
Chairil attributed the decline to higher prices caused by the
\ndepreciation of the rupiah and the decreasing income of farmers.<\/p>\n
Joko also called on the government to reduce import duties on
\nagrochemicals, which at present account for 60 percent to 70
\npercent of their price.<\/p>\n
The association, formerly known as the Association of
\nIndonesian Pesticide Manufacturers, together with the government
\nhas launched the Safe Use training program in Brebes, Central
\nJava, to help farmers use pesticides in a safe and efficient
\nmanner.<\/p>\n
Joko said the program would also be run in Malang, East Java,
\nand Brastagi, North Sumatra.<\/p>\n
He said the association had set aside US$40,000 for each of
\nthe three regencies to finance farmer training, the construction
\nof training centers and health centers for people affected by
\npesticides.(01)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/govt-asked-to-screen-pesticide-importers-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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