THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The government is considering a ban on red (extremely toxic) and yellow (highly toxic) categories of pesticides in phases against the background of mounting protests against pesticides in the State, especially in Kasaragod and Idukki districts.
Initially, the ban will apply to sensitive and biodiversity-rich areas and areas where pesticide use is intense.
However, there would not be an immediate ban on pesticide use in cardamom and tea plantations. Prescription by an agriculture officer might be made mandatory for sale of pesticides. In Idukki district, ban on use of red and yellow categories of pesticides is likely to come into effect for crops such as vegetables, banana and paddy at Devikulam, Idukki, Thodupuzha, Elamdesom and Adimali. Agriculture Minister Mullakkara Ratnakaran has asked the Director of Agriculture to prepare detailed proposals in this regard.
The government has already decided to withdraw licences to sell red and yellow categories of pesticides in Kasaragod district.
The Drugs Controller of Idukki recently took action against medical shops for selling steroids and other allopathic medicines for agriculture use. Rules permit only sale of limited number of pills of certain steroids and that too only against prescription.
Meanwhile, protests are growing from within Idukki district against excessive use of pesticides in plantations and vegetable gardens. Trade unions, which were reluctant to talk about pesticides and their impact on the workers, have started coming out against pesticides.
Source: The Hindu, 11-1-2011
Initially, the ban will apply to sensitive and biodiversity-rich areas and areas where pesticide use is intense.
However, there would not be an immediate ban on pesticide use in cardamom and tea plantations. Prescription by an agriculture officer might be made mandatory for sale of pesticides. In Idukki district, ban on use of red and yellow categories of pesticides is likely to come into effect for crops such as vegetables, banana and paddy at Devikulam, Idukki, Thodupuzha, Elamdesom and Adimali. Agriculture Minister Mullakkara Ratnakaran has asked the Director of Agriculture to prepare detailed proposals in this regard.
The government has already decided to withdraw licences to sell red and yellow categories of pesticides in Kasaragod district.
The Drugs Controller of Idukki recently took action against medical shops for selling steroids and other allopathic medicines for agriculture use. Rules permit only sale of limited number of pills of certain steroids and that too only against prescription.
Meanwhile, protests are growing from within Idukki district against excessive use of pesticides in plantations and vegetable gardens. Trade unions, which were reluctant to talk about pesticides and their impact on the workers, have started coming out against pesticides.
Source: The Hindu, 11-1-2011
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