Lok Sabha Question No. 3469 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-08
Subject: Ban on Use of Endosulfan
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: KONAKALLA NARAYANA RAO

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, COOPERATION AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3469

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 8 TH   AUGUST, 2017

## BAN ON USE OF ENDOSULFAN

## 3469.  SHRI KONAKALLA NARAYANA RAO:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंी be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) of USA, in its report has warned about the hazardous impact of pesticides on nature and the country must take stock of the pesticides  under  use  and  ensure  that  they  are  replaced  by  less  hazardous  products  and  better integrated pest management approaches;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether it is true that in spite of the Government's ban on the use of Endosulfan on the basis of reports of the National Institute of Occupational Health and various other committees the hazardous endosulfan is still being used widely in the country; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof along with the corrective steps taken by the Government thereon?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंालय म राय मंी (SHRI PARSHOTTAM RUPALA)

- (a) & (b): In  this  regard,  the  Registration  Committee,  constituted  under  Section  5  of  the Insecticides Act, 1968 has not received any communication from Environment Protection Agency (EPA). However, the Registration Committee registers pesticides after considering its efficacy and safety to human beings, animals and environment. In additions, technical reviews are carried out from  time  to  time  to  assess  the  safety  of  pesticides  for  their  continued  use.  In  addition,  the Government is implementing 'Strengthening and Modernization of Pest Management Approach in India' through 35 Central Integrated Pest Management Centres (CIPMCs) of Directorate of Plant Protection  Quarantine  and  Storage  established  across  the  country  with  an  aim  to  promote Integrated  Pest  Management  (IPM)  approach.  CIPMCs  inter  alia,  produce  biological  agents  for release in the fields, conserve natural bio-control agents, promote bio-pesticides as an alternative to chemical pesticides and advocate judicious and safe use of chemical pesticides as a last resort. These activities are implemented through Farmers Field Schools (FFSs), 2 days and 5 days training programmes and season long training program for State Agriculture Extension officers and NGOs / Private  Bodies.  Package  of  practices  for  control  of  pests  and  diseases  in  87  crops  have  been revised to include techniques to reduce dependence on chemical pesticides and encourage use of bio-pesticides and other alternative plant protection measures.
- (c) & (d): The Supreme Court passed an ad-interim order on 13.05.2011 banning production, sale and use of Endosulfan in the country till further orders. Accordingly, the Central Government issued instructions to all the State Governments/Union Territory Administrations to implement the interim order of the Court in toto, which are binding on all manufacturers.  The Secretariat of Central Insecticides  Board  &  Registration  Committee  has  written  to  the  Pesticide  Associations  to  recall Certificates of Registration for Endosulfan.  These certificates are deemed to have been treated as withdrawn in compliance of the ad-interim order passed by Hon'ble Supreme Court's directions.

*********