China plans to eliminate another 12 highly toxic pesticides from use within five years, state media reported, as the government looks to improve the safety of its farm produce. That comes amid an ongoing campaign to improve the environment and, in particular, tackle severe soil pollution. Beijing has already withdrawn 22 highly toxic pesticides from use, and it prohibits the use of any such products on fruit, vegetables and tea. But it still has a number of highly toxic chemicals in use on other crops, where they are particularly effective in fighting underground pests, Zeng Yande, head of the crop management department at the agriculture ministry, was quoted as saying by the Xinhua News agency. The ministry has issued a notice banning highly toxic substances endosulfan and methyl bromide by 2019
