(a) whether the Government is aware that the pesticides which have been banned
globally are still in use in the country;
(b) if so, the details of such pesticides;
(c) whether the Government has conducted any study to establish the adverse
impact of the banned pesticides on the human health as well as on livestock;
(d) if so, the outcome thereof; and
(e) the steps taken by the Government to educate the farmers regarding the
harmfulness in using these banned pesticides?
MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI SHARAD PAWAR)
(a) to (e): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. 63 DUE FOR REPLY ON 10TH DECEMBER, 2013.
(a) to (d): A Committee of Experts has been constituted on 8th July, 2013 under the
chairmanship of Dr. Anupam Verma (Adjunct Professor), Indian Agriculture Research
Institute, Pusa, New Delhi, to review the use of neonicotinoid pesticides registered in
India and to review 66 pesticides which are currently banned/ restricted/ withdrawn in
one or more countries but continue to be registered for domestic use in India. A list of
these pesticides is annexed.
The Registration Committee constituted under the provisions of the Insecticides Act, 1968
registers pesticides only after establishing their safety to human, animal and environmental
health. The continued use of pesticides in the country is reviewed from time to time,
as required.
(e): Steps taken to educate farmers include training programmes for farmers on safe
use of pesticides such as through Farmers Field Schools programme being organized
by 31 Central Integrated Pest Management centers located in 28 States and 1 U.T of
India on different crops; information dissemination during Krishi Melas and through
media.