(a) whether any detailed study has been undertaken to arrest the impact of
dangerous pesticides on health;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government are aware of the serious health problems in some
parts of the country, particularly in Kerala by use of `Endo Sulfan` a dangerous
pesticide;
(d) if so, the details thereof;
(e) whether the Union Government are aware of the lifting of the ban on using
Endo Sulfan in Kerala; and
(f) if so, the remedial steps taken in this regard?
MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI AJIT SINGH)
(a) to (f): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFFERED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (f) OF LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. 105 DUE FOR REPLY ON 22ND JULY, 2002.
(a)&(b): The Government have got reviewed the continued use or otherwise of
those pesticides which are hazardous and banned/severely restricted in other
countries of the world by constituting Expert Committees from time to time and
based on the recommendations of these Committees, 27 pesticides and 4
formulations of 3 other pesticides have been banned and use of 7 pesticides has
been restricted. The list is annexed.
(c)&(d): As per the first report of the study conducted by the National Institute
of Occupational Health (NIOH) of the Indian Council of Medical Research, higher
prevalence of unusual diseases like mental retardation, congenital defects and
abnormalities of re-productive system in children in the affected villages of
Kasargod district of North Kerala has been reported due to aerial spraying of
pesticide Endosulfan over the cashew plantation. However, their second and final
report is awaited.
(e): Yes, Sir.
(f): Government of Kerala has taken following steps:-
(i) It has prohibited the aerial spraying of endosulfan for all crops in Kerala.
(ii) Peria Division of Plantation Corporation of Kerala (PCK) would observe a pesticide holiday for a period of five years.
(iii) PCK will undertake only ground based spraying of pesticides in their cashew plantation.
(iv) All spraying operation of PCK in its cashew plantation will be carried out
under the direct technical supervision of a joint Kerala Agricultural
University and PCK Expert Group.
In addition to the steps taken by Kerala Government, the Registration
Committee constituted under the provision of Section 5 of the Insecticides Act, 1968
has constituted an Expert Group to study the effects of use of Endosulfan in a wider
perspective and make recommendations regarding its continued use/restricted use
or otherwise. Further, the Government is promoting Integrated Pest Management,
an eco-friendly approach encompassing cultural, mechanical, biological methods
including increasing use of bio-pesticides and need based use of chemical
pesticides for plant protection.
ANNEXURE
LIST OF PESTICIDES/PESTICIDE FORMULATIONS BANNED IN INDIA
A. Pesticides banned for manufacture, import and use (24 Nos.)
1. Aldrin
2. Benzene Hexachloride
3. Calcium Cyanide
4. Chlordane
5. Copper Acetoarsenite 6. Dibromochloropropane
7 Endrin
8. Ethyl Mercury Chloride
9. Ethyl Parathion 10. Heptachlor 11. Menazone 12. Nitrofen 13. Paraquat dimethyl sulfate 14. Pentachloro nitrobenzene 15. Pentachlorophenol 16. Sodium Methane Arsonate 17. Tetradifon 18. Toxafen 19. Aldicarb 20. Chlorhenzilate 21. Dieldrin 22. Maleic hydrozide Use banned w.e.f. 17.7.2003 23. Ethylene Dibromide 24. TCA (Trichloro acetic acid)
B. Pesticide/Pesticide formulations banned for use but their manufacture is allowed for export (3 Nos.).
25. Nicotin Sulfate 26. Phenyl Mercury Acetate 27. Captafol 80% Powder – (use banned w.e.f. 17.7.2003)
C. Pesticide formulations banned for import, manufacture and use (4 Nos.)
1. Methomyl 24% L
2. Methomyl 12.5% L
3. Phosphamidon 85% SL
4. Carbofuron 50% G
D. Pesticides restricted for use in India
1. Aluminium Phosphide
2. DDT
3. Lindane
4. Methyl Bromide
5. Methyl Parathion 6. Sodium Cyanide
7 Methoxy Ethyl Merciru Chloride (MEMC)