Pesticide residues in Animal Feed: A Hidden Threat to Livestock Health AND Food SafetY
Bulbul Shivhare, Anchal Keshri, Ashok Kumar Patil, Naresh Kurechiya, Abhyanshu Lawaniya, Alka Suman and Akhelesh Kumar Karoriya
Introduction
Pesticides play a crucial role in modern agriculture by protecting crops and livestock from pests, diseases and weeds thereby improves yield, quality and reduces production costs. India is currently Asia’s 2nd largest pesticide producer after China and ranks 12th globally in consumption. Worldwide consumption of pesticide is approximately 3.70 million tonnes per year out of which herbicides are (52.63%), fungicides & bactericides (21%), insecticides (20.93%) and other classes (4.93%). The consumption of pesticide in India is about 600 g/hectare, while in developed countries is 3000 g/hectare, still the problem of pesticide residue is very high in India. Pesticides significantly reduced crop losses up to 78% in fruits, 54% in vegetables and 32% in cereals and support food security. But, improper use of pesticides leads to accumulation of residues in food crops and livestock feed, which can enter animal body through contaminated feed and bioaccumulate in tissues and animal products like milk, meat and eggs, thus poses threat to both animal and human health. In developing countries, number of deaths of people due to pesticide consumption in food every year is approximately 20,000. Among all the pesticides, chlorpyriphos is the most commonly used in India followed by cypermethrin and malathion. However, growing concerns about the environmental persistence and health hazards of pesticides have led to increased interest in safer and more sustainable alternatives.
Common Pesticides Detected in Animal Feed-
| Pesticide Class | Representative Compounds | Feed Sources | Health Impacts | Remarks |
| Organo-chlorines | DDT, Endosulfan, Lindane, Aldrin | Oilcakes, green fodder | Reproductive disorders, bioaccumulation in fat and milk | Banned but persistent |
| Organo-phosphates | Malathion, Diazinon, Chlorpyrifos | Cereal grains,
Processed feed |
Acetylcholin-esterase enzyme inhibition | Milk transfer reported |
| Carbamates | Carbaryl, Aldicarb,
Propoxur |
Forage crops | Acute toxicity, tremors | Less stable than OCPs |
| Pyrethroids | Cypermethrin, Deltamethrin | Stored feed | Tremors, skin and mucosal irritation | Residues found in commercial feed |
| Herbicides/ Fungicides | Atrazine (herbicide), Mancozeb (Fungicides) | Fodder, silage | Hormonal and liver effects | Rarely monitored in feed |
Sources of pesticide residues in animals
- Contamination during crop production- When Pre-harvest intervals (PHIs) are not strictly followed, residues persist in the harvested material. Chlorpyrifos, Carbaryl and Cypermethrin are commonly detected in such crops.
- Post-Harvest Treatment and Storage- After harvest, crops are often stored in warehouses or silos where they may be treated with fumigants and insecticides to prevent pest infestations. Animals are primarily exposed to pesticide residues through consumption of these contaminated crops and feed.
- Environmental Contamination- Crops irrigated with pesticide-contaminated water or grown in polluted soils can absorb these chemicals systemically, leading to residue presence even in green fodder and silage. Improper waste disposal practices near agricultural land further amplify contamination load in forage crops.
- Other sources- Unapproved or excessive use of pesticides in fodder crops and direct application of insecticides on animals body to control parasites, which can be absorbed through the skin or ingested via licking leads to residue transfer to the plants and animals body.
List of pesticides banned in India
| Alachlor | Dichlorvos | Nitrofen |
| Aldicarb | Ethylene dibromide | Paraquate Dimethyl Sulphate |
| Aldrin | Ethyl mercury chloride | Pentachloro nitrobenzene |
| Benzene Hexachloride (BHC) | Ethyl Parathion | Pentachlorophenol (PCP) |
| Benomyl | Fenarimol | Phorate |
| Calcium cyanide | Heptachlor | Phosphamidon 85% SL |
| Captafol 80% Powder | Methoxy ethyl Mercury Chloride (MEMC) | Sodium Methane Arsonate (MSMA) |
| Carbaryl | Methyl parathion | Sodium cyanide |
| Chlordane | Maleic Hydrazide | Toxafen |
| Dieldrine | MehtomyI 12:5% L | Trichloro acetic acid (TCA) |
| Endrin | Nicotine sulfate | Tridemorph |
CONCLUSIONS
Pesticides have undeniably played a pivotal role in enhancing global agricultural productivity by safeguarding crops and livestock from pests, diseases, and weeds. However, the excessive use of synthetic pesticides has led to serious environmental and health hazards including soil degradation, groundwater pollution and biodiversity loss. Organic farming offers a sustainable alternative by relying on natural fertilizers, crop rotation and biological pest control instead of synthetic chemicals. Biopesticides, being target-specific and biodegradable, have emerged as a safer substitute with fewer ecological and health risks. The future of agriculture lies in adopting Integrated Pest Management (IPM)- a hybrid system combining the strengths of both organic and conventional methods. IPM ensures higher productivity while safeguarding human health and environmental sustainability. A balanced approach integrating modern science with traditional wisdom is essential for achieving safe, healthy and resilient food systems.
