China's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) has released an updated list of 60 pesticides that are prohibited nationwide, reinforcing the country's regulatory framework for food safety, environmental protection and agricultural compliance. The announcement is intended to support more effective enforcement by providing a consolidated reference of pesticide active ingredients that are no longer permitted for production, distribution or use.
Issued as Announcement No. 1039 on 13 July 2026, the notification brings together pesticide varieties that have been phased out over the years because of their high toxicity, environmental persistence or risks to human and animal health. According to the ministry, the updated list is designed to assist regulatory agencies in enforcing existing laws while ensuring greater clarity for stakeholders across the agricultural value chain.
The list includes several long-banned pesticides and highly hazardous chemicals, including BHC, DDT, camphechlor, dibromochloropropane, chlordimeform, ethylene dibromide, aldrin, dieldrin, mercury compounds, methamidophos, parathion, monocrotophos, phosphamidon, chlordane, mirex, paraquat, dicofol, endosulfan, lindane, carbofuran, omethoate, phorate and numerous other active ingredients that have been successively withdrawn from agricultural use in China.
MARA said the updated compilation forms part of China's broader efforts to protect the quality and safety of agricultural products, safeguard human and livestock health, and reduce ecological risks associated with hazardous pesticide use. The ministry noted that multiple government departments have progressively eliminated these pesticides through a series of prohibition and restriction measures over the years.
The ministry has instructed agricultural and rural affairs departments at all administrative levels to intensify supervision of banned pesticides and take strict action against illegal production, distribution and application. Enforcement will be carried out in accordance with the Food Safety Law of the People's Republic of China, the Agricultural Product Quality and Safety Law of the People's Republic of China, the Regulations on Pesticide Administration, and other applicable legislation.
The updated notification underscores China's continued focus on strengthening pesticide governance as regulators tighten oversight of hazardous agrochemicals while promoting safer agricultural production practices and improved compliance across the crop protection industry.
