Alipurduar, July 27 -- In a major move to tackle the growing concern over excessive pesticide residues in tea, the North Bengal Tea Producers' Association (NBTPA) has made it mandatory for bought-leaf tea factories to procure green tea leaves only with a valid Maximum Residue Limit (MRL) compliance report.

The directive came into effect on July 27, 2026, and applies to nearly 274 bought-leaf tea factories across North Bengal. Under the new rule, every consignment of green tea leaves must be accompanied by an MRL compliance certificate issued by a recognised laboratory or one approved by the Tea Board of India.

The decision was unanimously adopted at an NBTPA meeting on July 24, following growing concerns over pesticide residues affecting the quality and marketability of North Bengal tea. The association has informed small tea growers' organisations in North Bengal and Bihar about the new regulation.

According to the NBTPA, although bought-leaf factories do not produce tea, they are held responsible by the Tea Board of India, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and major buyers if manufactured tea contains banned pesticides or residues above permissible limits. Several leading tea-buying companies have also tightened their MRL compliance norms, prompting the industry to act.

Small tea growers contribute nearly 65 per cent of North Bengal's tea production. However, industry representatives allege that a section of growers continues to use banned pesticides, including Monocrotophos, resulting in residue levels exceeding food safety standards and affecting domestic sales as well as exports.

NBTPA Chairman Sanjay Dhanoti said factories have long suffered the consequences of pesticide misuse despite not applying chemicals themselves. "If immediate corrective measures are not taken, the tea industry and the livelihoods of thousands associated with it will face a serious crisis. That is why no green tea leaves will be procured without an MRL compliance report," he said.

Small Tea Growers' Association president Bijoy Gopal Chakraborty welcomed efforts to promote safe tea cultivation but urged authorities to establish accessible testing facilities and speed up certification so that genuine growers are not inconvenienced during the peak plucking season.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.