Context
Recently, a high-profile study published in the journal Science has brought the concept of Total Applied Toxicity (TAT) to the forefront of environmental discourse. The research reveals a concerning global trend where, despite stable or slightly declining volumes of pesticide use in some regions, the actual ecological harm—measured as TAT—is rising. This is particularly significant as the United Nations Biodiversity Conference (COP15) set a target to reduce pesticide-related risks by 50% by 2030, yet current TAT data suggests that most nations are moving in the opposite direction.
What is Total Applied Toxicity (TAT)?
Total Applied Toxicity (TAT) is a comprehensive environmental indicator used to assess the potential impact of pesticides on biodiversity. Unlike traditional metrics that merely track the weight/volume of pesticides applied, TAT integrates two critical factors:
- Pesticide Use Data: The quantity (kilograms or tons) of specific active ingredients applied to crops.
- Toxicity Metrics: The inherent toxicity of those chemicals to specific non-target species groups (e.g., honeybees, fish, aquatic invertebrates).
Why the Shift to TAT?
For decades, regulators focused on the amount of pesticides used. However, the industry has shifted toward high-potency chemicals. This means a farmer might use a smaller volume of a “new generation” pesticide, but that small amount could be thousands of times more toxic to the environment than the larger volume of an older chemical. TAT captures this “decoupling” of volume and toxicity.
Key Findings & Global Trends
- Species-Specific Impact: Recent data shows that while toxicity to vertebrates (like birds and mammals) has generally decreased due to stricter regulations, the TAT for invertebrates (like pollinators and aquatic insects) and terrestrial plants has increased significantly.
- The Global Leaders: Countries with the highest TAT intensities include Brazil, China, Argentina, and the United States, largely driven by intensive monoculture farming and the use of highly toxic herbicides and insecticides.
- Pest Resistance: As pests develop resistance, farmers often increase the frequency of application or use more toxic mixtures, further driving up the TAT.
- The 50% Target: The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (Target 7) aims to reduce the risk from pesticides by half. Currently, TAT is the primary indicator proposed to track progress toward this goal.
India’s Regulatory Framework: 1968 vs. 2025
India is currently overhauling its domestic laws to align with modern toxicity standards and farmer safety.
1. The Insecticides Act, 1968 (Current)
- Focus: Regulating the import, manufacture, sale, and distribution of insecticides to prevent risk to human beings or animals.
- Limitation: Enacted during the Green Revolution, it prioritizes “availability” and “efficacy” over environmental “toxicity” and long-term ecological health.
- Institutions: Established the Central Insecticides Board (CIB) and Registration Committee (RC).
2. The Pesticides Management Bill, 2025 (Proposed)
The 2025 Bill (replacing earlier 2020 and 2008 drafts) seeks to modernize the sector:
- Broader Scope: Covers “Pesticides” (including biologicals) rather than just “Insecticides.”
- Risk-Based Governance: Introduces a formal definition of “risk” (aligning with TAT concepts), allowing regulators to ban substances based on environmental harm even if they are effective for crops.
- Farmer Welfare: Includes provisions for compensation to farmers in case of poor-quality pesticides and establishes a Pesticide Management Fund.
- Stricter Penalties: Heavy fines (up to ₹40 lakh) and imprisonment for selling spurious or unregistered pesticides.
- Digital Traceability: Mandatory use of QR codes and digital portals to track pesticides from factory to farm.
Global Conventions & India’s Obligations
| Convention | Focus Area | India’s Status |
| Stockholm Convention | Eliminating Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) like DDT and Endosulfan. | Party (Ratified). Recently banned 7 additional POPs. |
| Rotterdam Convention | Prior Informed Consent (PIC) procedure for trading hazardous chemicals. | Party. Helps India decide whether to allow the import of toxic chemicals. |
| Basel Convention | Regulating the transboundary movement of hazardous waste (including pesticide containers). | Party. Focuses on safe disposal of chemical waste. |
| Kunming-Montreal GBF | Target 7: Reduce pollution risk from pesticides by 50% by 2030. | Committed. TAT is the indicator for this target. |
Q. With reference to the ‘Total Applied Toxicity’ (TAT) recently seen in the news, consider the following statements:
1. It is a metric that measures the total volume of pesticides used in a country regardless of their chemical potency.
2. It is used as a headline indicator to monitor progress under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
3. A rise in TAT suggests an increasing risk to non-target organisms even if the total quantity of pesticides applied remains constant.
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Solution:
Correct Option: (b) Only two
• STATEMENT 1 IS INCORRECT: TAT does not just measure volume; it combines the volume of use with the specific toxicity (potency) of the active ingredient. Measuring only volume is the traditional method that TAT aims to improve upon.
• STATEMENT 2 IS CORRECT: TAT has been adopted/proposed as a key indicator for Target 7 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework to measure the reduction of risks from highly hazardous chemicals.
• STATEMENT 3 IS CORRECT: Because TAT accounts for potency, if a low-toxicity pesticide is replaced by a high-toxicity one (even in smaller amounts), the TAT value increases, indicating a higher risk to the environment.
