The United Nations has asked India to ban the monocrotophos pesticide - the presence of which in mid-day meal led to the death of 23 schoolchildren in Bihar last month.
The United Nation Food and Agriculture Organization has written to the HRD and Agriculture Ministries seeking a ban on it. India had a few years ago ignored the WHO’s warning about the highly toxic pesticide and refused to ban it on the ground it was cheaper than other alternatives and more effective in controlling pests.
Both the international organisations cited use of the said insecticide is a risk to human health and wildlife and their use by impoverished farmers as a poison to commit suicide. The Monocrotophos Organophosphorus pesticide, the traces of which were found in the meal that led to Bihar tragedy is already banned in Europe, United States and other nations and the WHO have been urging other developing nations to ban the pesticide.
The UNFAO has conveyed to the Indian Government that India ban the sale and use of monocrotophos insecticide which “very often poses a serious risk to human health and the environment”. The WHO in 2007 stated that about 76,000 people die each year in India from pesticide poisoning.
Government sources said that almost a decade ago the government had ruled out a ban on the production and use of monocrotophos following as a recommendation by a committee of experts. “The manufacturers of monocrotophos insecticide advocated that it was cheaper and more effective in checking pests when compared to other alternatives in. A close examination on the issue following the tragedy and subsequently international pressure to ban the pesticide has come to fore now,” said a HRD Ministry official.
The Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee in 2004 said that the data submitted by the manufacturers points as of now there is no need to recommend the ban of Monocrotophos Organophosphorus.