Punjab Government Bans the Sale of Herbicide Glyphosate

Punjab government has banned the sale of "cancer-causing" herbicide glyphosate in the state, which is broadly used to control a different type of weeds in crops, with instant effect, reports a senior official.

State Agriculture Secretary K.S. Pannu said that the Central Insecticide Board and Registration Committee (CIB&RC) had recommended the use of the herbicide only for tea garden and non-crop area.

Exposure To Glyphosate-Based Herbicide Increases in 20 Years
The herbicide is used for genetically modified crops and the metabolites of the pesticide can be a potent carcinogen and can increase the risk of cancer.

‘After the state agriculture department lately passed an order, manufacturers, marketers, and traders in Punjab will not be allowed to sell the chemical glyphosate or its form as it has toxic effects on human health.’
Read More..

Tweet it Now

"There is no cultivation of tea plantation in Punjab, and on account of 200 percent crop intensity in Punjab, the non-crop area is too meager," said Pannu.

"Even this small area is also associated with crop cultivation, being ridges, water channels, bundhs and some area between the rows of crops, orchids, and canal/drain banks. Therefore, even this area is a part of crop area for all practical purposes," Pannu pointed out.

The Punjab State Farmers Commission had also recommended the ban on the sale of the chemical in the state.

Glyphosate is Carcinogenic, Stop Spraying it on Coca Plantations: Colombian President
President Juan Manuel Santos said that Colombia should find other ways to destroy illicit coca plantations, instead of using the dangerous herbicide Glyphosate.

"This chemical has been observed to be cancer-causing material. Besides cancer, this chemical is also known for causing other health problems and has the potential to damage human DNA as per the opinion of experts from PGIMER, Chandigarh," a state government spokesman pointed out.

Glyphosate is sold under various trade names. Pannu said the state government has directed all pesticide manufacturers, marketers and dealers in the state will not sell glyphosate formulations and concentrations with immediate effect.

Monsanto's Glyphosate Now Most Heavily Used Herbicide
About 18.9 billion pounds (8.6 billion kilograms) of glyphosate have been used globally. Glyphosate use has risen almost 15-fold since so-called Roundup Ready.

"The licensing authorities have been asked to take necessary steps for removal of entries for glyphosate from the licenses issued by them," he added.

Agrarian Punjab contributes 50 percent of food grains (wheat and paddy) to the national kitty despite having just 1.54 percent of the country's geographical area.

European Union Delays Re-Approval For Glyphosate
The European Commission have delayed their decision on rolling over the approval for glyphosate in the face of fierce lobbying from both sides on the issue.

Source-IANS