Agriculture Deptt bans five insecticides in Amravati Divn
| Date :20-Sep-2019 |
Staff Reporter :
Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries Department has banned five insecticides in Amravati Division for a period of 60 days. The insecticides and their specific formulations have been banned in view of their ‘hazardous nature’ and ‘repeated occurrences of insecticides poisoning’. Dr Anil Bonde, Agriculture Minister, had stated at a press conference held in Nagpur on Wednesday that he had asked his department to prohibit sale, distribution or use of these insecticides. A day later, on Thursday, the department issued a notification banning the sale, distribution and use of the insecticides ‘or any batches thereof or any combinations thereof’ in the districts of Akola, Amravati, Buldhana, Washim, and Yavatmal in Amravati Division.
The insecticides/formulations that have been banned are as follows: Profenophos 40% plus Cypermethrin 4% EC, Fipronil 40% plus Imidacloprid 40% WG, Acephate 75% SC, Difenthiron 50% WP, and Monochrotophos 36% SL. Eknath Dawale, Secretary to the Government, signed the notification. These insecticides were banned for a period of 60 days in the year 2017 following the deaths of farmers/labourers due to insecticide poisoning. This time also, these insecticides/formulations have been banned for a period of 60 days. If a insecticide is to be banned beyond 60 days, the decision can be taken by Central Insecticide Board and Registration Committee. As per the notification states that the State Government has requested Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee, to ban sale, distribution or use of these insecticides ‘permanently’.
The Central committee is still ‘reviewing and enquiring’ the said proposal. The latest notification states that State Government is of the opinion that ‘a large number of farm labourers and farmers have been reported to have been exposed to poisoning, after using insecticides specified’ in Amravati Division. Besides, it observes, the occurrences of such insecticides poisoning has again risen in the State particularly in Amravati Division. In these occurrences, farm labourers and farmers are admitted in various hospitals for treatment of insecticides poisoning since April 2019. “These insecticides are either extremely or highly toxic, but have highly toxic effect due to use for blending in an unauthorised manner,” it adds.