ANALYSIS OF INDIAN AND CANADIAN LAWS REGULATING THE BIOPESTICIDES: A COMPARISON

Abstract

An excessive use of toxic plant protection chemicals has irreversibly damaged the soil biology of agroecosystems, resulting in a substantial decline of productivity. Biocontrol agents, especially microbial biopesticides, are seen as one of the key solutions to overcome toxicity and pest resistance issues. Biopesticides are defined as mass-produced agents manufactured from living microorganisms or natural products used for the control of pests. Laws to regulate biopesticides both in India and Canada need to be analysed from the perspectives of trade facilitation, ease of business, proliferation of green technologies and products, and the sustainability and revitalization of soil biology. Registration of new biopesticides for its manufacturing, trade, import, storage, transport, disposal and safety is discussed from the point of view of the legal barriers imposed on the production process and trade. Having compared laws of both countries, authors offer recommendations for legal reform.