Govt asked to screen pesticide importers

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Crop Protection Industry Association (AIPTI) urged the government to screen potential importers of pesticides and pesticide formulas.

AIPTI chairman Joko Suwondo said on Thursday tighter selection and registration of importers with the Ministry of Agriculture's Pesticide Commission would enable the government to control the use of pesticides and more effectively protect domestic industries.

He also said controlled imports would protect local farmers from fraudulent products and help them select the most appropriate pesticides for their crops.

"The government should only give import licenses to domestic crop-protection producers," Joko told a business meeting.

He said most current importers did not care about the negative effects of pesticides on crops, farmers and the environment.

Edible Plants and Horticulture director general Chairil Anwar Rasahan said the domestic use of pesticides had decreased steadily over the past three years, from 80,205 tons in 1996 to 64,697 tons in 1997 and 50,966 tons in 1998.

Chairil attributed the decline to higher prices caused by the depreciation of the rupiah and the decreasing income of farmers.

Joko also called on the government to reduce import duties on agrochemicals, which at present account for 60 percent to 70 percent of their price.

The association, formerly known as the Association of Indonesian Pesticide Manufacturers, together with the government has launched the Safe Use training program in Brebes, Central Java, to help farmers use pesticides in a safe and efficient manner.

Joko said the program would also be run in Malang, East Java, and Brastagi, North Sumatra.

He said the association had set aside US$40,000 for each of the three regencies to finance farmer training, the construction of training centers and health centers for people affected by pesticides.(01)