Banned Endo Sulfan, Banned Stockholm Convention
Indian government representatives at the UN-backed Stockholm Convention signaled on Thursday that they would push for an “exception” to using endosulfan, farm insecticide, on 22 crops for a five-year time limit — a move independent observers at meet described as a “climb-down”. Asking for “exceptio n” implies that the country will have to give up its stand that endosulfan is generally safe, Mohammed Asheel, an independent delegate representing Kerala told HT from Geneva.
In the event of a ban — will let India continue manufacturing and using endosulfan on 22 specific crops, which includes a wide array of food and non-food plants until a safer, cost-effective alternative is found.
India argues endosulfan is safe if used according to norms and the looming possibility of a ban could push up food costs and imperil food production, as the next cheapest alternative pesticide costs up to 10 times more.
India was completely isolated among other countries as when China also stood in support for conditional ban on the pesticide. Pointing at the report of Food and Agriculture Organization (FOA) that India claimed that endosulfan does not create any health problems. But India suffered a major set back when FOA itself refuted the claims and stated that it is a hazardous pesticide.
India argues endosulfan is safe if used according to norms and the looming possibility of a ban could push up food costs and imperil food production, as the next cheapest alternative pesticide costs up to 10 times more.
Moreover, a ban threatens India’s domestic pesticide industry, the world’s largest producer of endosulfan, whose market is valued at over RS1,000 crore and half of which is consumed domestically.
Friday, May 27, 2011: The State Government has cancelled the licence of Hindustan Insecticides Limited (HIL), producer of harmful pesticide endosulfan in Kochi. 
