NEWS

The Time of India, New Delhi, Jan 2017: Acting on advice of an expert committee, the Centre will ban use of 18 pesticides in India as it involves risk to humans and animals. The Union agriculture ministry has issued a draft order, asking manufacturers, importers and state authorities to completely ban 12 of the identified pesticides from January 1, 2018 and remaining six from December 31, 2020. Though these pesticides are banned or restricted in other countries, it continue to be used in India. Some of these pesticides are highly toxic to honey bees and birds. Use of these pesticides also contaminates water bodies and thereby affects aquatic organisms. The decision to ban these pesticides is taken after considering recommendations of an expert committee, headed by former national professor of the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) Anupam Varma. The committee, constituted in July 2013, had reviewed use of 66 pesticides which are banned or restricted in many countries.

Read More: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/the-good-earth/centre-to-ban-use-of-18-pesticides-harmful-to-humans-and-animals/articleshow/56398650.cms