The Pesticides Manufacturers? and Formulators Association of India (PMFAI) has expressed deep concern over various problems faced by the Indian pesticide industry and has sought the intervention of the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals (DCPC) in solving them.

In a letter to the DCPC, PMFAI requested the DCPC to remove cumbersome and time consuming procedures enforced by the Central Insecticides Board.

"If exporters are allowed to import technical grade pesticides from the global market at competitive prices, the Indian pesticide industry can export pesticide formulations with value addition of more than 30-50 per cent and we can easily increase our exports of pesticides from the present Rs 8000 crore to Rs 16000 crore in three-four years? time," it said.

The PMFAI also called for immediate halt in import of formulated pesticides without registering the technical grade pesticide.

"We kindly request you that in the interest of the Indian farmer and to provide equal opportunity to the Indian pesticide industry, you take up the matter with all ministries concerned to stop the import of formulated pesticides without registering the technical grade pesticide," the letter said.

The PMFAI said that import duty on all fuels like fuel oil, LSHS, coal should be reduced to zero while service tax should be reduced by 5 per cent.

It also suggested that agrochemicals should not be included in the list for FTAs, saying such agreements have so far been not that encouraging for Indian industries.

It further said that samples of pesticides for free distribution should be exempted from levy of excise duty as permitted to the pharma industry.