LAHORE (January 24 2004): Pakistan Crop Protection Association (PCPA) has urged the government to prepare a comprehensive pesticide policy and place it before the parliament for approval.

PCPA Chairman, Ejaz Ahmad Chaudhry while talking to newsmen here on Friday said that a uniform policy was needed for the provision of cheap and quality pesticides to the growers.

He expressed deep concern over the government's decision, allowing only the importers to market pesticides.

"This decision will increase prices of agricultural inputs and hurt the 20-year old local industry", he said.

Ejaz said that around 100 local firms would shut their business due to this decision. He was of the view that multinational companies would only get the benefit from this.

He said that the growers would face a lot of difficulties in the upcoming Kharif and Rabi seasons, as they would have to purchase pesticides at much higher rates.

Courtesy Business Recorder