Centre restricts use of herbicide glyphosate over health hazards

Allows use only by authorised Pest Control Operators

The Centre has officially restricted the use of the widely used herbicide, glyphosate, fearing risk to human and animal health. From now, glyphosate will be applied only through pest control operators (PCOs).

PCOs are licensed to use deadly chemicals for treating pests such as rodents. A formal gazette notification on the restriction was issued last night, more than two years after a draft on the same was circulated for comments and views.

Though the official order did not mention it explicitly, many experts believe it is intended to curb the rampant spread of glyphosate by farmers.

Glyphosate has been majorly