Tea Associations in Assam Sound Alarm on Banned Pesticides, Urge Action by State Ministers

The Assam Bought Leaf Tea Manufacturers’ Association (ABLTMA) and the Assam Small Tea Growers’ Association have jointly raised concerns about the use of banned pesticides in tea plantations. Alleging that banned chemicals are being sold in the state, the associations have appealed to the industries and agriculture ministers of Assam to address the issue. The Tea Board of India has banned 20 varieties of chemicals and pesticides, including aldrin, dieldrin, captofol, ferbam, and somazine, citing health risks. State Agriculture Minister Atul Bora emphasized strict monitoring to ensure compliance, stating that actions would be taken against violators. Recent surprise inspections in Tinsukia district revealed banned chemical stocks in two tea gardens. The call for action follows a meeting in late 2023 where the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) expressed concern over the presence of banned pesticides in tea. The Tea Board of India subsequently imposed the ban based on FSSAI’s recommendations, urging tea estates and small growers to refrain from using chemicals not labeled for tea bushes.