Expert sounds alarm on pesticide overuse

China should prioritize the drafting of national standards on pesticides to reduce the amount of residue that is left on agricultural products and prevent damage to the environment, according to a leading researcher.

Zheng Yongquan, a scientist with the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences' Institute of Plant Protection, said national standards on pesticides, including limits on the maximum amount of residue allowed and application guidelines, are badly needed as the country faces mounting pressure to protect its ecology in rural areas.

Last year, the 54-year-old led a team of experts that received the Second Class Award for National Science and Technology Progress for their research into establishing an efficient and low-risk pesticide usage system.