ISLAMABAD, Oct 26: Federal Minister for Food and Agriculture Khair Mohammed Junejo said that strict action would be taken against those found involved in pesticides adulteration.

Talking to APP here on Saturday, the minister said the government was monitoring the situation and a strategy had been evolved in consonance with Amended Agricultural Pesticides Ordinance, 1997 which incorporates stringent enhanced mandatory terms of imprisonment and fines.

“The adulterated and sub-standard pesticides ruin the crop and the efforts of farmers,” he said.

He added a system of warranty by importers would be introduced and both the importers and distributors be made responsible for the quality of their pesticides handled by dealers or vendors.

The minister said the government would encourage the locally manufactured pesticides, adding this matter had been taken up with the finance ministry to formulate a package in this respect.

The minister said lottery schemes and advertisements on sale of pesticides can be harmful to the farmers if it is found that pesticides offered for sale under these schemes are not the one recommended by the plant protection department and the pest present is not found for which these pesticides are meant.

The provincial governments will check the sale of lottery coupon and if found that these coupons are sold to unauthorized persons, the companies will be held responsible for violation of law and disciplinary/punitive action against them will be taken.—APP