Government Restricts The Use Of Glyphosate

Why in the News?

Recently, The Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare restricted the use of glyphosate.

Key Points:

What is Glyphosate?

• It is a widely used herbicide. It is applied to the leaves of plants to kill both broadleaf plants and grass.

• It was highly accepted by tea planters in the past two decades. 
• Only authorized Pest Control Operators are allowed to use it. 
• Use of the substance anywhere else is illegal.
• Some 35 countries have banned or restricted the use of glyphosate. These include Sri Lanka, Netherlands, France, Colombia, Canada, Israel, and Argentina.

What are the Concerns?

• Health impacts of glyphosate range from cancer, and reproductive and developmental toxicity to neurotoxicity and immunotoxicity.
• Symptoms include irritation, swelling, burning of the skin, oral and nasal discomfort, unpleasant taste, and blurred vision.
• In India, glyphosate has been approved for use only in tea plantations and non-plantation areas accompanying the tea crop. 
  • Use of the substance anywhere else is illegal.
• This will endanger the agroecological nature of Indian farms, apart from spreading the toxic effects to people, animals, and the environment.