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Kerala is searching for legal ways to put an end to production of Endosulfan within the State in the context of the country getting a six-year relaxation for phasing out the killer pesticide. The State Government is examining the options in this regard as there are rumours that the Centre may use the phase out period to let the pesticide industry make maximum mileage.
The matter would be discussed in detail at the high-level meeting to be held on Wednesday at Thiruvananthapuram. It would also examine and approve a project submitted by the Kerala Agricultural University for putting farming in Kerala on the organic path by eliminating the use of chemical pesticides gradually but totally.
Use of Endosulfan was banned in Kerala in 2002 following the pesticide-generated health problems seen in Kasaragod and the Centre had issued a notification in 2005 approving it. However, Central public sector unit Hindustan Insecticides Limited (HIL) at Eloor near Kochi has continued to manufacture huge quantities of the pesticide.
Matters related to the manufacture and distribution of Endosulfan are under the control of the Central Government. There is apprehension that the Centre, which is yet to give up its pro-Endosulfan stand, is unlikely to do anything to stop the production immediately as it has got a six-year period to implement the global ban imposed by the Geneva Convention of the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee.
The State also fears that the exemption given to 23 crops with regard to the ban on Endosulfan could be misinterpreted for the purpose of helping the pesticide industry. It is in this context the Kerala Government is examining whether it can legally end the manufacture of the pesticide at HIL.
Kerala Agriculture Minister Mullakkara Ratnakaran is planning to work for bringing together as many states as possible to put pressure on the Centre to end the production of Endosulfan. Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh already share Kerala’s views on Endosulfan and the Minister expects several other states to extend cooperation.
The Kerala Agricultural University has submitted a detailed report to the Department of Agriculture on how the State could be put on the path of organic farming by eliminating the use of chemical pesticides gradually. Wednesday’s meeting is expected to approve this project. The Government might issue an order in this regard soon.
Meanwhile, the Kerala State Pollution Control Board has issued yet another show-cause notice to Endosulfan manufacturer HIL of Kochi for violating pollution control norms. The board has so far issued 64 notices to the Central PSU for violating rules on environment protection and pollution.
The latest notice was issued on April 25, asking HIL to explain if there were any reasons for not cancelling the permission given to it for functioning in the context of gross violation of the norms. The PCB had laid down certain strict conditions while giving permission to the company to function till June 30, 2012 but these had not been adhered to. Kochi’s public sector HIL alone is said to be producing 1,600 tons of Endosulfan annually.
The matter would be discussed in detail at the high-level meeting to be held on Wednesday at Thiruvananthapuram. It would also examine and approve a project submitted by the Kerala Agricultural University for putting farming in Kerala on the organic path by eliminating the use of chemical pesticides gradually but totally.
Use of Endosulfan was banned in Kerala in 2002 following the pesticide-generated health problems seen in Kasaragod and the Centre had issued a notification in 2005 approving it. However, Central public sector unit Hindustan Insecticides Limited (HIL) at Eloor near Kochi has continued to manufacture huge quantities of the pesticide.
Matters related to the manufacture and distribution of Endosulfan are under the control of the Central Government. There is apprehension that the Centre, which is yet to give up its pro-Endosulfan stand, is unlikely to do anything to stop the production immediately as it has got a six-year period to implement the global ban imposed by the Geneva Convention of the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee.
The State also fears that the exemption given to 23 crops with regard to the ban on Endosulfan could be misinterpreted for the purpose of helping the pesticide industry. It is in this context the Kerala Government is examining whether it can legally end the manufacture of the pesticide at HIL.
Kerala Agriculture Minister Mullakkara Ratnakaran is planning to work for bringing together as many states as possible to put pressure on the Centre to end the production of Endosulfan. Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh already share Kerala’s views on Endosulfan and the Minister expects several other states to extend cooperation.
The Kerala Agricultural University has submitted a detailed report to the Department of Agriculture on how the State could be put on the path of organic farming by eliminating the use of chemical pesticides gradually. Wednesday’s meeting is expected to approve this project. The Government might issue an order in this regard soon.
Meanwhile, the Kerala State Pollution Control Board has issued yet another show-cause notice to Endosulfan manufacturer HIL of Kochi for violating pollution control norms. The board has so far issued 64 notices to the Central PSU for violating rules on environment protection and pollution.
The latest notice was issued on April 25, asking HIL to explain if there were any reasons for not cancelling the permission given to it for functioning in the context of gross violation of the norms. The PCB had laid down certain strict conditions while giving permission to the company to function till June 30, 2012 but these had not been adhered to. Kochi’s public sector HIL alone is said to be producing 1,600 tons of Endosulfan annually.
