Pesticide Ban Order News in India [UPSC Current Affairs]

India’s decision to trim the list of 27 banned pesticides to just three has been met with controversy and questions from both the industry and civil society. Ahead of the Centre’s response to the Supreme Court, stakeholders are wondering why certain pesticides were left off the list and why the original ban was reversed. This topic is important for the IAS exam agriculture and environment segments of the GS Paper III.

Civil society & industry take contrasting positions on pesticide ban order

Background:

• In May 2020, the Indian government banned 27 pesticides that were considered hazardous to public health and safety. 
• However, following recommendations from the industry, a high-powered panel was constituted to review the ban.
• The panel recommended retaining the ban on only three of the 27 pesticides.
• In February 2023, the Centre modified the ban order, removing 24 of the 27 pesticides from the list.

Concerns raised by the Industry:

• A section of the pesticides industry, while demanding the lifting of the ban totally, has questioned the relaxation given to one of the pesticides. 
• They also questioned the panel on whose recommendation the relaxation was granted.
• They are also asking for clarification on why monocrotophos, which is highly toxic and classified as a highly hazardous pesticide by the World Health Organization (WHO), was not prohibited.

Civil Society Concerns:

• Civil society activists are questioning the lack of transparency regarding the panel’s constitution, and are concerned about the 21 “highly hazardous” pesticides that were removed from the ban list. 
• 17 deemed-to-be-registered pesticides that were not proven safe by any ex-ante risk assessment are also included.
• Three of the pesticides fall under WHO Class I and 13 under Class II in terms of toxicity.

Supreme Court’s Involvement:

• The Supreme Court has taken notice of the issue and has asked the central government to explain why only three of the originally banned 27 pesticides were prohibited. 
• The court’s decision is a step towards ensuring transparency and accountability in the ban process.

Impact of Hazardous Pesticides

Hazardous pesticides are harmful chemicals used to control pests in agriculture, horticulture, and forestry. The use of these chemicals has severe consequences on human health, the environment, and the ecosystem.

• Impact on Human Health: Pesticides can cause skin irritation, respiratory problems, and even death if ingested in high doses. Pesticides also cause cancer, birth defects, and other chronic health problems.
• Impact on the Environment: They pollute the soil, water, and air. They also have a detrimental effect on wildlife, including birds, fish, and insects, disrupting the entire ecosystem.
• Impact on Agriculture: The overuse of hazardous pesticides can lead to the development of resistance in pests, which can result in crop damage and yield loss. 

The controversy surrounding the ban of hazardous pesticides highlights the need for proper risk assessment and transparency in decision-making processes.

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