[1]The Stockholm convention “ban” fails to address all of Kerala’s concerns immediately as it allows the use of endosulfan on 22 crops over a five-year phase-out deadline.
The conference of parties at the Stockholm Convention on Friday approved the draft proposal for the elimination of production and use of endosulfan and its isomers worldwide, subject to exemptions.
Exemptions will apply to 22 crops - cotton, jute, coffee, tea, tobacco, cow peas, beans, tomato, okra, eggplant, onion, potato, chillies, apple, mango, gram, arhar dal (pigeon pea), maize, paddy, wheat, groundnuts and mustard.
India would have to incorporate the convention decision through an Act of Parliament and make the recommendation mandatory.
The country's concerns have been addressed through the exemptions and financial assistance required to identify alternatives.
The Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee to the Convention will engage parties and observers to develop alternatives to the deadly chemical.
In Kerala, the ban has been in force for nearly more than a decade.
Links:
[1] http://archive.asianage.com/30sulfanjpgcropdisplayjpg-036