August 5, 2011: The Supreme Court on Friday asked a panel of experts, set up to inquire into the harmful effects of pesticide endosulfan, to suggest if it can be exported. A bench of Chief Justice SH Kapadia, Justice KS Panickar Radhakrishnan and Justice Swatanter Kumar said the committee will determine to which countries the controversial pesticide can be exported.
Used widely in agriculture, particularly for rice and cotton crops, endosulphan has proved harmful to humans as well as environment, drawing widespread criticism.
Endosulfan can only be exported to countries which conform to international conventions on handling of hazardous material, the court said. The committee was also asked to suggest ways and means to dispose of the remaining stocks of endosulfan. The panel has three weeks to respond.
An interim apex court order May 13 banned the production, distribution and use of endosulfan. The court asked the expert committee to carry out a comprehensive study across the country and give details on the use of the pesticide area- and region-wise.
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