GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3199
ANSWERED ON 08TH AUGUST, 2023
BAN ON PESTICIDES
3199. SHRI E. T. MOHAMMED BASHEER:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS be pleased to state:-

(a) Whether the state Government of Kerala has made a representation to the Union

Government to ban the pesticides; and

(b) if so, the action taken by the Government in this regard ?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE 

 (SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)

(a) & (b): Government of India received a report from the Government of Kerala recommending to prohibit the distribution, sale and use of Glyphosate and its derivatives. The above report was forwarded for the consultation of Registration Committee (RC) under section 27(2) of the Insectides Act, 1968.  Thereafter, RC constituted a sub–committee and based on the suggestions of the sub-committee, RC recommended that Glyphosate formulations may be allowed through Pest Control Operators (PCOs). Accordingly, Central Government issued a draft gazette notification vide S.O. 2268(E), dated 7th July, 2020 to the effect that no person shall use Glyphosate except through Pest Control Operators (PCOs). DA&FW after receiving objections and suggestions on the draft gazette notification & in further consultation with RC issued a final Gazette Notification No. S.O. 5010 (E) dated 25th October, 2022 for restricting the use of Glyphosate and its derivatives through Pest Control Operators only. 

 The matter is now sub-judice in the Hon’ble High Court of Delhi. Further, in compliance to the orders dated 23.11.2022 and 19.07.2023 passed by the Hon’ble Court, the aforesaid Gazette notification hasnot been yet given effect.