Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh on Friday said Endosulfan will be banned across the country if its adverse effect on health is proved. The Centre has been opposing a ban on the use of the pesticide, arguing the move could hit the average Indian farmer and agriculture output.
The minister’s statement was prompted by the rising protest against the use of Endosulfan in Kerala and Karnataka. “If there is evidence to show that it has all-India health effects, we will ban it at the national level,” Ramesh told reporters.
Reacting to the decision of Kerala to ban the pesticide in the state, Ramesh said: “I respect the decision of the government of Kerala.” However, on the its demand for a nationwide ban, the minister said if there was enough evidence, only then “we will”.
Ramesh reasoned that Endosulfan is a broad spectrum pesticide and there was no other cost-effective alternative to it as yet. Kerala is the only state to ban the pesticide, following reports of poeple living near cashew plantations in Kasargod district falling ill.
Earlier, the agriculture ministry had also objected to a nationwide ban on Endosulfan.
Asked about the different lobbies working for and against Endosulfan, Ramesh said: “I do not want to fall victim to any lobby – either the anti-endosulfan or pro-endosulfan lobby...I will go by the evidence that I have. I fully support the ban that the Kerala government has imposed.”
“I can assure you that I will not be persuaded by the manufacturers’ lobby. If there was evidence that the use of Endosulfan was affecting farmers, it will be banned or phased out. I will be the first one to support the move.”