Witnessing the rapid use of ethylene — a chemical used for artificial ripening of world famous Himachal Apples and the rise in risk of health hazards, the State Government is now planning to completely ban the sale and consumption of the chemical in the State.
The apple economy which is over Rs 4,000 crore in the State is taking its toll with growers increasingly bringing the artificially ripened fruits to the market earlier than the season resulting in market crash, as it happened this season despite of bumper growth in fruit.The increased use of ethylene has also raised concern in the State Government due to the risk of health hazards it involves. “The excessive use of chemical ripening of fruits is not only increasing the risk of health hazards but is also bringing bad name to the State,” said Horticulture Minister Vidya Stokes.
Horticulture Minister also showed concern over apple market crash this season. “Growers in lure of money bring the artificially ripened apples to the market but it eventually result in market crash due to bulk production before time,” said a senior horticulture official. Stokes said that Government is contemplating to bring law to completely ban the sale and use of the ethylene on apples and other fruits after going through legal aspects and studying the intensity of health hazards.
Meanwhile, the Horticulture department had called a high-level meeting in Shimla in this regard and to discuss legality before finalising proposal to enact the law. The meeting was attended by officials of Horticulture department, besides the horticulture and legal experts. The experts believed that use of ethylene within recommended dose does not invite risk of health hazard but growers are using overdose of ethylene or other chemicals for artificial ripening of fruits which could prove harmful to not only humans but even plants.