Draft Order: Prohibition of Streptomycin + Tetracycline in Indian agriculture
21 December 2021, New Delhi: The Registration Committee (RC) on Agrochemicals had constituted a Sub-Committee to explore the possibility of phasing out antibiotic or antibacterial substances for use in agriculture if alternatives are available. Continued use of these substances in agriculture may pose risk of development of resistance to these antibiotics in human beings and animals.
The Indian Government after considering the recommendations of the Sub-Committee and after consultation with the Registration Committee has released a draft Order “Prohibition of Streptomycin + Tetracycline in agriculture Order, 2021” on 17th December 2021. The draft order will come into force on the date of its final publication in the Official Gazette.
According to the draft order, “No person shall import, manufacture or formulate Streptomycin + Tetracycline for use in agriculture in India with effect from the 1st February, 2022. No new certificate of registration to manufacture, import or formulate of Streptomycin + Tetracycline for use in Agriculture shall be issued with effect from the 1st February, 2022.”
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The draft order mentions, “The use of Streptomycin + Tetracycline shall be completely banned in agriculture with effect from 01 January 2024.”
Any objection or suggestion in respect of the said draft Order should submit the same for consideration within the period of 45 days to Dr. Pramod Kumar Meherda, Joint Secretary (Plant Protection), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
