Through the inspection and assessment of the List of pesticides permitted in Vietnam, it is found that the number of pesticides registered to be used for rice is redundant (3291 commercial names, accounted for ¾ of the total commercial names registered on the List). Such number of pesticides used for rice satisfies or even exceeds the need in rice production. Upon the abovementioned situation, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development has approved the request of the Plant Protection Department for suspension of the registration of pesticides used for rice. The Plant Protection Department hereby informs that:

From January 10, 2017:

1. The receipt of applications for issuance of the pesticide testing licenses and the issuance of the pesticide registration certificates applicable to pesticides used for rice shall be suspended.

2. Holders of existing pesticide testing licenses shall stop concluding contracts for testing of pesticides on rice.

3. Units qualified to conduct the testing of pesticides shall suspend the conclusion of testing contracts and prepare the statistics of executed, suspended and ongoing contracts. Reports shall be sent to the Plant Protection Department before January 20, 2016 for prompt handling.