Guidelines for Pesticide Usage
Guidelines for Pesticide Usage
SFA regulates and registers agricultural pesticides used in the commercial cultivation of plants intended for sale in Singapore. The usage of synthetic chemical and biological pesticides, plant growth regulators and pesticide-containing biostimulant/fertiliser/soil conditioner is to follow the following conditions strictly. Farmers are to ensure that they adhere to on the usage of pesticides for commercial sales as shown below. Those chemicals which are not registered with SFA cannot be used in local agricultural farms.
Approved Pesticides for Use in Local Farms
Only pesticides registered with SFA for use on vegetables or food crops can be used in the cultivation of plants intended for sale as food in Singapore. These pesticides include synthetic chemicals and biological pesticides, plant growth regulators and pesticide-containing biostimulants/fertilisers/soil conditioners. All agricultural pesticides used on the farm must bear SFA/AVA/PPD Registration Number on the product label. Pesticides marketed for domestic use e.g. home gardens, which do not bear an SFA/AVA/PPD Registration Number, are not allowed to be used on the farm. It is an offence to use non-SFA/AVA/PPD registered pesticides in local agricultural farms. You may refer to the following link https://www.sfa.gov.sg/tools-and-resources/pesticides-search or the QR code below to search for SFA-approved agricultural pesticides. You can key in ‘%’ in the ‘Active Ingredient’ field to obtain the full list SFA-registered pesticides.
Certificated Pesticide Operators
Application of pesticides on the farm can only be conducted by or under supervision of an SFA-certified pesticide operator. Certified pesticide operators are trained to apply pesticides correctly and safely. This is to ensure that pesticides are applied responsibly and that the safety of the farm produce, workers’ health, workplace and the environment are safeguarded. The list of SFA-certified pesticide operators can be found in the following link https://www.sfa.gov.sg/food-farming/agricultural-pesticides/certification-of-pesticide-operators or the QR code below.
Pesticide Residues
Where pesticides are used on the farm, its residue on the produce should be within the limits stipulated in rule 20(1)(f)(ii) of the Control of Plants (Cultivation of Plants) (Licensing and Certification) Rules. This requirement may be met by adhering to dosage instructions and Pre-Harvest Interval (the wait time between a pesticide application and when a crop can be harvested) as stated on the product label of registered products.
Pesticide use Records
Pesticide-use records must be maintained for each application of pesticide (for both routine operations and adhoc/once-off applications). The records must include the name of the farm, certified pesticide operator, name of pesticide, pesticide registration number, supplier and date of purchase. The date and quantity used, balance quantities, name of the applicator and signature of the certified pesticide operator must be recorded after each application. These records must be filed and they are subject to checks by SFA. Please refer to annex A for the pesticide record template.
Disposal of Unused Pesticide and Pesticide Receptacles
Unused pesticides or empty pesticide receptacles must be disposed through an NEA-licensed chemical disposal company. A letter/certificate from the disposal company is required to acknowledge the receipt and disposal of the pesticide; this letter/certificate may be checked by SFA during our inspections. You may refer to the following link https://www.nea.gov.sg/our-services/pollution-control/hazardous-waste/toxic-waste-control or the QR code below for the list of licensed chemical disposal companies
Pesticide Free Farm
We note an increasing number of farms choosing to adopt pesticide/chemical-free cultivation of vegetables and food crops. In the event that such farms wish to apply pesticides on an adhoc/once-off basis, the above rules and regulation will also apply. Please consult your Account Managers if you require further assistance.
It is the farm licensee’s responsibility to ensure that produce from the farm is safe and fit for human consumption. SFA will continue to ensure compliance through our surveillance regime and would not hesitate to take enforcement actions against errant farms.