AGRI 171:

Pesticides and Fertilizers

ANGELO C. CASTRO
Lecturer
Lecture Outline (2 meetings)
• Presidential Decree (PD) No. • Product Stewardship &
1144 Responsible Care
• Fertilizer and Pesticide • Dirty Dozen, Phaseout
Authority (FPA) Powers and • Monitoring/Enforcement
Responsibilities • Fertilizers
• Pesticides • Definitions
• Definition • Classifications
• Categories/Classification • Registration
• Registration and Accreditation • Monitoring/Enforcement
• Labelling • Ethical considerations
Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA)
• Fertilizer and Industry Authority (FIA)
• Presidential Decree (P.D.) No. 135 (Ferdinand
Marcos, 22 February 1973)
• Serves as response to the decrease in rice
production
• 1977 – FIA’s regulatory powers expanded to
pesticides
• FIA then replaced by the Fertilizer and Pesticide
Authority (FPA)
• FPA – P.D. 1144 (30 May 1977)
PD no. 1144, Section 1. Creation of Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority

Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA)

Technical regulatory agency under

the Department of Agriculture (DA)
PD no. 1144, Section 6.I. Common to Fertilizers, Pesticides and other Agricultural Chemicals

FPA Powers and Functions

The FPA shall have jurisdiction, on over all existing handlers of pesticides, fertilizers and other
agricultural chemical inputs. The FPA shall have the following powers and functions:

1. Information Campaign Conduct public awareness on safe and effective pest control methods
Promote and coordinate fertilizer and pesticide research with relevant
2. Research Coordination
agencies
Request information and assistance from government entities and the
3. Government Collaboration
private sector
4. Regulation and Licensing Establish rules for product registration, licensing, and related fees

5. Penalties Impose penalties for violations of established rules

6. Legal Action Initiate proceedings against violators of the Decree and regulations
Delegate powers to cooperatives, associations, or individuals to aid in
7. Delegation of Authority
FPA functions
Execute any necessary actions within legal bounds to fulfill FPA
8. General Authority
objectives
PD no. 1144, Section 6.III. Pesticides and Other Agricultural Chemicals

FPA Powers and Functions

1. Use Determination Specify approved uses for each pesticide formulation

Establish and enforce tolerance levels and good agricultural practices

2. Tolerance Levels
for pesticide use
Limit or prohibit pesticide use in areas or times of imminent hazard to
3. Restrictions and Bans
health or the environment
Prevent importation and regulate export of commodities with pesticide
4. Import/Export Regulation
residues exceeding tolerance levels
Inspect pesticide handler establishments for compliance with health
5. Inspections
and safety regulations
Check farmers' fields to ensure proper pesticide use per agricultural
6. Field Inspections
practices
Require handlers to submit reports on quantities and values of pesticide
7. Reporting Requirements
products
Implement controls on prices, inventories, and distributions during
8. Price Controls
shortages or price surges to protect public interest.
PD no. 1144, Section 8. Prohibitions Governing Sale and Use of Fertilizers and Pesticides

Prohibited Acts
It shall be unlawful for any handler of pesticides, fertilizer, and other agricultural chemicals or for
any farmers, planter or end-user of the same as the case may be:

a. Licensing Produce, import, distribute, store, or sell without an FPA license

b. Improper Use Use pesticides contrary to established good agricultural practices

c. Unregistered Products Deal in unregistered or expired pesticide and fertilizer products

d. Adulteration Adulterate pesticide formulations or fertilizer grades

Require simultaneous purchase of pesticides with fertilizers or vice-

e. Bundling Sales
versa

f. Mislabeling Mislabel products or make false claims regarding effectiveness

g. Regulatory Violations Violate any other FPA rules and regulations

PD no. 1144, Section 10.a. Penalties

Penalties for Fertilizer Violations

• Imprisonment Penalties:
• Amount > P50,000: 15 years & 1 day to 20 years
• Amount ≤ P10,000: 10 years & 1 day to 15 years
• Fines:
• Amount > P50,000: Fine equal to value involved, 3x max, P5,000 - P20,000
• Amount ≤ P10,000: P5,000 - P10,000
• Undetermined Amounts: P5,000 - P10,000
• Falsification: Maximum fines and imprisonment for related offenses.
• Corporate Violations: Penalties apply to guilty individuals and the
entity involved.
PD no. 1144, Section 10.b. Penalties

Penalties for Pesticide Violations

• Individuals:
• Penal servitude up to 1 year
• Fine ranging from P5,000 to P10,000
• Corporate Violations:
• Penalties apply to guilty officials or officers of the corporation, firm,
partnership, cooperative, or association.
PD no. 1144, Section 3.a. Definitions

What is a pesticide?
Any substance or product, or mixture thereof, including active
ingredients, adjuvants, and pesticide formulations, intended to
control, prevent, destroy, repel or mitigate directly or indirectly,
any pest.
The term shall be understood to include insecticide, fungicide,
bactericide, nematocide, herbicide, molluscicide, avicide,
rodenticide, plant regulator, defoliant, desiccant and the like.
Pest Control Agents Regulated by FPA
Pest Control Agents

Biological and Biologically Derived Pest

Conventional Chemical Pesticides Control Agents

Biorational Pesticides All other living pest

control agents

Plant-incorporated protectant (PIP) Biochemical pest Microbial Pest

Control Agents Agents - Insect
Other agricultural pesticidal substances
derived from modern biotechnology Predators
- Hormones - Bacteria - Macroscopic
Parasites
- Natural plant - Fungi
regulators - Nematodes
- Protozoa
- Enzymes - Plants
- Viruses
- Semiochemicals
Urban Pest Control
• FPA (Petitioner) vs Manila Pest Control Company (MAPECON)
and Woodrow Catan (Respondents)
• The Supreme Court of the Philippines addressed the
jurisdictional powers of the FPA concerning the operations of
the Manila Pest Control Company (MAPECON).
• The Court of Appeals upheld a Regional Trial Court decision
that found FPA lacked regulatory authority over MAPECON,
which specializes in urban pest control.
• The FPA, established under Presidential Decree No. 1144, is
tasked primarily with regulating agricultural pesticides, not
urban pest control products.
Urban Pest Control
• Department Of Health – Bureau of Food
and Drugs (DOH-BFAD) Advisory 2008-
003 (Feb 5, 2008)
• Household pesticides - classified as
Household Hazardous Substance
• Urban Pest Control Operators under BFAD
• BFAD is now Food and Drug
Administration (FDA)
Urban Pest Control
DOH through the FDA
• DOH AO 2014-0038:
Household/Urban Pesticides
Licensing of Establishments and
Operators (repealed by 2019-0010)
• DOH AO 2019-0010: Guidelines on
the Regulation of Operators of Pest
Control, Certification of Pesticide
Handlers, and Accreditation of their
Training Providers
Pesticide Toxicity and Hazard
Acute Dermal, LD50 (mg Kg-1
Category and Color Band Acute Oral, LD50 (Rat)
BW)
Signal Words Symbol2
Solid Liquid3 Solid Liquid
Category I
Red ≤ 50 ≤ 200 ≤ 100 ≤ 400
Danger: Poison
Category II
Warning: Yellow 51 - 500 201 - 2000 101 - 1000 401 - 4000
Harmful
Category III
Blue 501 - 2000 2001 - 3000 > 1000 > 4000
Caution
Category IV
Green > 2000 > 3000 NA NA

LD50 – statistical estimate of the number of mg of toxicant per kg of

body weight (BW) required to kill 50 % of a large population of test
animals
Product Registration
• Ensures pesticide products meet prescribed
standards before they are imported,
manufactured, formulated, distributed and
sold in the Philippines
• Standards:
1. Quality & Suitability of a.i. of the the
formulated product
2. Bioefficacy
3. Safety to handlers
4. Safety to users/consumers
5. Safety to the environment
6. Handling packaging, labelling, disposal
Product Registration
Types of products to be registered:
1. New end use product or formulation
2. Modification in the registration of registered product
(amendment to MRL, change in application method, rate,
timing, frequency of application)
3. Change in formulation (change in a.i. %, change in inerts
added and type of formulation)
4. New technical grade a.i. or new source
5. Permit for off-label use of the pesticide
Accreditation (as Product Handler)
1. Pesticide Manufacturer/ Formulator/ 8. Warehouse Registration Agricultural
Extruder License Certified Pesticide Applicator (CPA)
2. Pesticide Repacker License [Exterminator, Fumigator, Drone
Controller/Spray Crew Supervisor]
3. Pesticide Importer/Indentor License
10. Accredited Responsible Care Officer
4. Pesticide Distributor (National, Area) (ARCO)
License
11. Accredited Pest Researcher [research
5. Pesticide Supplier’s Local for product registration]
Representative/ Local Subsidiaries
12. Accredited Safety Dispenser (ASD)
6. Pesticide Dealership License
13. Accredited Training Associations
7. Pesticide Control Operator’s License (ATA)
(Drone Operator, Fumigator)
14. FPA Laboratory Recognition
Labelling
Contents:
1. Product information
2. Active Ingredient (a.i.)
3. Use of product
4. Weight
5. FPA Registration Number
6. Shelf life
7. Manufacturing info
8. Product mode of action
9. Directions for use
10. Safety precautions
Products Stewardships & Responsible Care
• Pesticide companies: address risks and hazards to human
health and environment associated with the use of pesticides
• Companies: ensure products are properly handled, used safely
from manufacture, marketing, application, including waste
disposal
• Company policies on safety, training, equipment packaging
materials, containers, storage, transport, disposal of waste and
container (DENR)
• Leaks, spills, decontamination
 Banned and Restricted

Source: https://fpa.da.gov.ph/resources/reports/list-of-banned-and-restricted-pesticides/
Dirty Dozen
• The 12 initial persistent organic pollutants (POPs) under the
Stockholm Convention
• Recognized as causing adverse effects on humans and the
ecosystem
• Three categories: pesticides (9), industrial chemicals (2), By-
products (1)
Dirty Dozen
Phase out
Methyl Bromide:
• Fumigant for: Soil-borne fungi, bacteria, mites, nematodes, rodents,
stored products, and facilities.
• Uses: Quarantine and Pre-Shipment (QPS) control.
• Ozone Depleting: Regulated by 1992 Montreal Protocol.
• Phaseout: 2005 for developed, 2015 for developing countries (QPS
exempted).
• Philippine Regulation: Import volume restricted; companies must justify
increases and report usage before applying for another license.
Phase out
Chlorpyrifos
• Insecticide used in agriculture & for pest control
• Banned by FDA as a household pesticide in 2018
(FDA Circular 2018-008)
• US Environment Protection Agency banned it in
2021 (neurological damage in children, reduced
IQ, loss of working memory, attention deficit
disorders)
• US EPA in 2001 disallowed its use from
residential & professional use
• Banned in South Africa 2010, UK 2016
Phase out
Monitoring/Enforcement
Coordination with LGUs & POs:
• Authority Delegation: Mayors and Barangay Captains enforce FPA rules.
• Health & Environmental Monitoring: Track pesticide poisoning and
contamination.
• Data Collaboration: MAOs collect barangay data via MOA.
• AgTech Solutions: Technology used to monitor pesticide dealer compliance.
• Ongoing Oversight: PAOs and MAOs identify pesticide use issues, including
banned chemicals and pollution.
• Regional Compliance Checks: Ensure compliance among distributors and
importers.
• Residue Monitoring: Follow CODEX MRLs for monitoring pesticide residues.
Monitoring/Enforcement
Powers and Functions Under PD 1144:
• Field Inspections: Authorized personnel may inspect farmers'
fields to ensure only recommended pesticides are used,
following good agricultural practices.
• Prohibitions (Section 8): It is illegal for handlers and farmers to:
(b) Use pesticides contrary to good agricultural practices.
(g) Violate any Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) regulations.
Monitoring/Enforcement
• Penalties and Prohibited Acts Under PD 1144:
• Violations (Section 10): Up to 1 year penal servitude and fines
from ₱5,000 to ₱10,000 for non-compliance.
• Prohibited Acts: FPA can ban, impound, or seize harmful
pesticides to protect public health and the environment.
Monitoring/Enforcement
Greenbook: 2.8.4. Specific Considerations (Labelling)
• F. Prohibition/Warranty Statements
1. The following statement is required:

“It is a violation of FPA rules and regulations to use this

product in a manner inconsistent with its label.”
Monitoring/Enforcement
• Regulatory Bodies & Framework:
• FPA: Regulates fertilizers and pesticides, including their registration and safe storage.
• BAFS: Sets standards for agricultural products like organic fertilizers and bio-control
agents.
• Key Laws & Guidelines:
• PD 1144: Covers safe handling and storage of chemical and organic fertilizers for public
health and environmental protection.
• RA 10068 (amended by RA 11511): Requires registration of organic inputs with BAFS to
ensure safety.
• DA Circular 01 (2021): Mandates BAFS registration for Organic Bio-Control Agents
(OBCAs).
• Greenbook 2020: A reference for agricultural chemical regulations and best practices.
• DENR AO 2013-22: Governs hazardous waste management for agricultural chemicals.
PD no. 1144, Section 6.II. Fertilizers

PD 1144: FPA Powers & Functions

The FPA shall have jurisdiction, on over all existing handlers of pesticides, fertilizers and other
agricultural chemical inputs. The FPA shall have the following powers and functions:

1. Continuous
Monitor the domestic and global fertilizer supply and demand.
Assessment
Establish and enforce sales quotas, production schedules, and
2. Market Regulation
distribution areas to ensure market stability.
Determine wholesale and retail volumes and prices for fertilizers and
3. Pricing Control
inputs
4. Import/Export Implement and oversee regulations for the import and export of fertilizers,
Regulations including negotiating contracts.
Import fertilizers exempt from customs duties and taxes, and sell to
5. Tax Exemptions
qualified entities under the same exemptions.
Regulate all marketing companies (importers, wholesalers, retailers) by
6. Marketing Oversight controlling prices, terms, distribution channels, and promotional activities
in the domestic market.
PD no. 1144, Section 6.II. Fertilizers

PD 1144: FPA Powers & Functions

Oversee and control the quality of various fertilizer grades, establishing
7. Quality Regulation
new grades as needed.
Regulate all aspects of domestic fertilizer production, ensuring efficient
8. Production Control
use of idle capacities and orderly industry expansion.
Approve or reject the establishment of new fertilizer plants and the
9. Plant Approvals
expansion or contraction of existing facilities.
10. Access to Ensure access to essential information on industry operations, including
Information financial statements and data on marketing, production, and inventory.
11. Financing Control and assist in financing for the importation, production, inventory
Assistance management, and expansion of the fertilizer industry.
12. Market Supply Take necessary actions to ensure an adequate supply of fertilizers at
Maintenance reasonable prices while supporting the long-term viability of the industry.
What are Fertilizers?
• Includes any substance (solid/liquid, any nutrient element or
elements, organic/inorganic, singly/in-combination with other
materials.
• Applied directly to the soil for the purpose of promoting growth,
increasing crop yield or improving their quality
Product Registration
Mandatory Registration
All fertilizers and agricultural chemicals must be
registered with the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority
(FPA) before export, import, manufacture, storage,
distribution, sale, or use.

Separate Registrations Required

Each active ingredient and formulation for
pesticides, along with each fertilizer grade, requires
individual registration.

Licensing Requirement
A license from the FPA is necessary for exporting,
importing, manufacturing, distributing, or selling
pesticides, fertilizers, or agricultural chemicals.
Product Registration
Fertilizer products coverage: f. Microbial inoculants/biological
fertilizer
1. Inorganic fertilizer 1.Beneficial bacteria
a. Traditional 2.Beneficial fungi
b. New grades 3. Fortified organic fertilizer
c. Specialty grades
d. Controlled release 4. Genetically modified organisms
(GMOs)
2. Biostimulants
a. Humic substances 5. Decomposers
1. Humic acid 6. Soil conditioner/soil
2. Fulvic acid ammendment
b. Protein hydrolysates
c. Seaweed extracts 7. Plant growth regulator
d. Chitosan & other biopolymers 8. Raw materials
e. Inorganic compounds
Product Registration
1. Full registration 2. Provisional registration
a. Traditional fertilizers 1 season of bioefficacy trial
Bioefficacy data not required
b. Valid for 3 years Valid for 1 year and renewable for a
maximum of 2 renewals to give time for
c. Non-traditional fertilizers complete bioefficacy test
Bioefficacy test on 2 distinct season
or 2 agro-climatically different Department Circular No. 1, Series 2022 titled “General
locations Guidelines on the registration of new fertilizer products
with required bioefficacy trial and mandatory publication
of the bioefficacy trial terminal report”
• Bioefficacy trials in 2 cropping seasons (wet & dry)
• Mandatory publication of the technical report in
scientific bulletins or research journals
Restricted Fertilizer
Potassium Nitrate and other Nitrates
• Health concerns – potential carcinogens
• Explosive manufacture
Regulatory Framework:
• Handled by FPA licensed mango contractors, FPA, and PNP FE Office.
• Governed by RA 9516 (amending PD 1866) regarding unlawful possession, manufacture,
dealing, acquisition, or disposition of explosives.
• Import and Sales Authority:
• SEC. 4-C:
• Only individuals or entities with a manufacturer’s, dealer’s, or purchaser’s license from the PNP-
Firearms and Explosives Division can import, possess, or sell chemicals for explosives.
• Chemicals Covered:
• SEC. 4-D:
• Includes chlorates, nitrates, nitric acid, and other chemicals used in explosives manufacturing.
Beirut Port Explosion

The Beirut explosion was

caused by over 2.7
kilotons of ammonium
nitrate ignited by flames
from a nearby warehouse
PD no. 1144, Section 9. Registration and licensing

Licensing of Handlers PRODUCT HANDLERS

1. Exporters
2. Importers
3. Indentors (agent)
“No person shall engage in the business of 4. Processors
5. Bulk blenders
exporting, importing, manufacturing, 6. Manufacturers
formulating, distributing, supplying, 7. Formulators
repacking, storing, commercially applying, 8. Suppliers
selling, marketing, of any pesticides, 9. Distributors
fertilizer and other agricultural chemicals 11. Bulk handlers
12. Area Distributors
except under a license issued by the FPA.” 13. Dealers
14. Warehouses
EUP & Label Expansion
EXPERIMENTAL USE PERMIT (Fert & Pesticides):
• Filed by applicant and approved by FPA before any bioefficacy test
(generate data for registration)
• Valid for only 1 growing season for testing a crop
• May be extended if needed
• Bioefficacy test to be done by an FPA accredited researcher
• Pesticide: 1 season (preferably wet) with 2 locations
LABEL EXPANSION (EUP III):
• Bioefficacy test for additional uses → if tested on a new crop or
when higher dose is tested on a previously registered crop use
Balanced Fertilization
Strategy Program (2022)
4Rs in Fertilization
Right Source
Right Placement
Right Amount
Right Rate

Technical Working Committee: DA-FPA

BSWM, ATI (Co Chair)
BAR, BAFE, BAFS, BPI, PhilMech, SRA, PCA, NTA,
FOS, FPA, PhilRice
Rising prices of fertilizers
PhP 2,500 landed cost → PhP 3,394 farmer’s cost
Safety & Ethical
Considerations
Environmental Contamination
On June 21, 2008, a ferry accident
spilled 10,000 kg of Endosulfan, a
restricted insecticide/acaricide,
intended for Del Monte’s pineapple
plantation, along with a separate 10-foot
container holding:
• Carbofuran
• Probineb
• Metamidophos
• Niclosamide.
Safety & Ethical
Considerations
Environmental Contamination
On December 3, 1984, a methyl
isocyanate release at a Union
Carbide factory in Bhopal, India,
resulted in 14,000 deaths and
30,000 injuries, causing
environmental contamination
through residues, groundwater
pollution, and soil acidification.
Safety & Ethical Considerations
Exposure/Poisoning:
• Overuse
• Lack of proper equipment & safety procedures
• Lack of supervision
• Effect on non-target organisms
Benefits of Chemical Inputs vs. Adverse Effects
• Side effect of chemicals
Productivity vs. Sustainability
• NAST-CAMP: productivity of farm lands continuously cropped with wheat, maize, soybean and rice
can be sustained indefinitely with judicious moderate applications of chemical fertilizers
Affordability
• Affordability of organic produce: to recover income loss because of lower yields, less protection
and higher costs
END