Feb 1, 2018
1,099 clusters to provide pesticide-free vegetables
Minister for Agriculture V.S. Anil Kumar informed the Assembly on Wednesday that 1,099 clusters would be formed in the Agriculture Department to make available pesticide-free organic vegetables and fruits. In addition to the 118 eco-shops functioning in the State, another 317 would be set up by the department.
Pointing out that the use of pesticides was a major concern for the government, the Minister said 1,251 tonnes of pesticides were used in the State in 2015. Incidence of cancer was high in Kuttanad coming under three districts and the department had decided to go for good agriculture practices at a cost of ₹200 lakh.
The Agriculture Department had strengthened its Enforcement Wing and the Food Safety Commissionerate functioning under the Health Department had been asked to take steps to check fruits and vegetables that reach markets in the State from adjoining States.
Punjab bans sale of toxic pesticides; CSE urges similar necessary action by the Centre
Calls for Central government to follow suit in the interest of public health
The pesticides banned in Punjab include, Phosphamidion, Methomyl, Phorate, Triazophos and Monocrotophos, and are still used in India along with several other class I pesticides. Credit: Agnimirg Basu/CSE
The Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare of the government of Punjab yesterday issued directions to discontinue the sale of 20 pesticides (insecticides), harmful to health of humans and environment with immediate effect. It also directed not to issue any fresh licenses for these pesticides.
The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has welcomed this move and urged similar necessary action by the Centre. Chandra Bhushan, deputy director general of the New Delhi-based think tank said, “We are pleased to know about this much-needed step. If a state like Punjab, highly dependent on pesticides, acts in the interest of public health, it is incumbent on the Central government to take necessary steps to eliminate sale of highly toxic pesticides in the entire country.”
The pesticides banned in Punjab include, Phosphamidion, Methomyl, Phorate, Triazophos and Monocrotophos, which are considered class I pesticides by the World Health Organization, and are further categorised into extremely hazardous (class Ia) and highly hazardous (class Ib) to human health. Many of these are banned in several countries. For example, Phosphamidon is banned in 49 countries, Phorate in 37, Triazophos in 40 and Monocrotophos is banned in 60 countries.
But India still allows use of these five along with several other class I pesticides. Based on a 2015 review by the Anupam Verma committee, the agriculture ministry through an order of December 2016 planned to ban only three out of these five and that too, starting from 2021.
“We must address the issue of class I pesticides. These account for about 30 per cent of the total insecticide use in our country. The government action in this regard has been largely inadequate so far,” points out Amit Khurana, senior programme manager, Food Safety and Toxins team, CSE.
In the wake of ill-effects of pesticides and deaths related to it in our country, CSE has been advocating for a ban on class I pesticides and a pesticide management bill which fills gaps in laws and strengthens enforcement.
Food businesses in Ganderbal fined Rs 4.68 lakh for violating FSSA
The court of Additional Deputy Commissioner-cum-Adjudicating Officer Syed ShahnawazBukhari under the Food Safety Act on Monday imposed a fine of Rs 4.68 lakh on various food business operator’s for violating the Food Safety and Standards Act-2006 in Ganderbal.
The ADC warned all the businesspersons involved with food business to desist from such practices in future and directed the concerned authorities to conduct market checking on daily basis to check maintenance of hygiene and the quality food is made available to the general public.
“We have imposed fine to various business operators for violating Food Safety Standard Act,” the ADC told Greater Kashmir, adding that the fine was imposed while deciding several cases lodged before the said court in last few months. He said that “I have directed the concerned department to ensure the routine market checking in the district, so that the quality food is made available to the general public.
GOA: MAHARASHTRA AND GOA FIRMS FINED FOR MANUFACTURING AND SELLING ‘MISBRANDED’ MUSTARD OIL IN GOA
Margao (Goa):The District Magistrate cum Adjudicating Officer, South Goa District, Margao has imposed a penalty of Rs 1 lakh each, on the firm M/s Payal Enterprises, Thane, Maharashtra and its three partners Manilal Lalji Nandu, Hiten Javerilal Gala and Dimple Ketan Nandu of M/s Payal Enterprises; besides Rs 10,000/ each, on 11 other local food vendors M/s G K Enterprises, Thana in Cortalim, M/s Raj Rajeshwar Agencies at Sao Pedro, Old – Goa; and Super Centre at Silvanagar in Ponda for manufacturing, storing and selling food article “A-1 Raja Mustard Oil”, which was declared and reported to be “misbranded food” under the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and the Rules/Regulations.
The action against the firms was taken based on a report from the Food and Drugs Administration confirming their guilt. The FDA sleuths in a raid at these establishments had found the misbranded oil was manufactured and sold to customers despite it being declared unfit for.consumption.
Tobacco products seized
KAKCHING | Jan 31 : Kakching Police in a drive on January 29 at Kakching market seized tobacco products. Kakching Police OC S.Nandababu Sharmana said the banned tobacco items were seized during a drive against health hazardous intoxicants conducted search operation in and around Kakching bazar.
The seized items will be handed over to Food Safety and Standards Section, Thoubal to destroy them said the police officer. He also appealed the people to support the police in fighting against use and sale of banned tobacco items, mostly chewing- tobaccos and tobacco pan masalas.
In another police move a team of Pallel police led by OC MS Heisnamna also seized banned tobacco items from Pallel Bazar.
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