New Delhi: As many as 67 pesticides that have
either been banned or severely restricted by some countries,
have been allowed for use on crops in India, Agriculture
Minister Sharad Pawar admitted in the Rajya Sabha on Friday.
He said during Question Hour that 27 pesticides, including
calcium cyanide, have been banned for manufacture, import and
use in India.
Nicotin Sulfate and Captafol have been banned for use in
the country but their manufacture is allowed for export, he
said adding four pesticide formulations have been banned for
import, manufacture and use while seven others have been
withdrawn.
13 pesticides including Endosulfan have been allowed with
restricted use.
"However, there are 67 pesticides allowed for use in India
which have been either banned or severely restricted by some
countries," he said.
When asked why these pesticides were being allowed for use
in India, he said some countries have banned use of these
pesticides but others like Brazil and Australia continue to
use them.
"We take all precautions (in allowing use of pesticides).
Certain countries have banned them but certain countries have
allowed their use. We have taken opinion of scientific
community and considered interest of farming community in
allowing their use," he said.
On reports of presence of high level of pesticides in
fruits and vegetables in cities like Delhi, Pawar said samples
are collected from time to time and "appropriate" action
taken.
In 2007-08, 41,000 samples were collected of which 3.17
per cent were found to be sub-standard. Next year, 2.99 per
cent of the 43,488 samples collected were found sub-standard
while in 2009-10 3.1 per cent of 54,661 samples collected were
found in that category, he said.
On use of Endosulfan, Pawar said four different committees
of scientists have certified it as being safe for use.
However, in view of request from Kerala state government, its
use has been disallowed in Kerala. Similar request has been
received from Karnataka and use of Endosulfan is in the
process of being stopped in the state.
In respect of pesticides not banned under the Act, there
have been instances whereas in some areas stipulations on
dosage, crops and method of application were not adhered to
mainly due to lack of awareness, he said.
"However, analysis of samples of agricultural commodities,
including vegetables, collected for detection of pesticide
residues has so far not indicated use of any pesticide banned
under the Insecticides Act, 1968."
PTI
