Bengaluru: Noted physician and activist Dr Ravindranath Shanbhag has alleged that German multinational Bayer A.G., which had earlier produced and supplied the dreaded chemical pesticide endosulfan, is once again promoting three more such pesticides in the country, which may be even more dangerous. In Europe these pesticides have either been banned or their sales are restricted, he added.
Shanbhag told reporters here that thiodicarb, fipronil and natio 75wg are the three new chemical pesticides being marketed by Bayer, through their subsidiary - Bayers Crop Science (India).
It will wreak havoc in the country, particularly the newborn and even unborn children, he pointed out.
“In spite of the ruin caused by endosulfan, the company is once again promoting the sales of these three chemical pesticides in a big way throughout the country,” he said.
Harmful to health
Shanbhag pointed out that the pesticide ‘thiodicarb’ is being sold in India under the brand name Larvin, which was banned in European countries in 2007. It is feared this pesticide causes cancer in young kids.
Similarly another pesticide by name ‘fipronil’ is supposed to destroy honey bees and earthworms and adversely affect the environment.
It is strange that the Agriculture Ministry is maintaining a silence over the matter.
The third pesticide ‘trifloxystrobin’ has been promoted under the name Natio 75wg, which is expected to cause harm to unborn children. Germany’s Agricultural Ministry has restricted the use of this chemical to only a few agricultural products. Without a “caution” the product cannot even marketed there.
No proper instruction
“What is more intriguing is that in India, the label on the container is silent about the possible harmful effects, which is compulsory as per the law. It also does not mention the guidelines to use this harmful chemical. It does not tell about the precautions to be taken at the time of use,” he alleged.
“Human Rights Protection Foundation Udupi has already taken up the matter with the Ministry of Health at the Centre, as to how this could be permitted in the light of the past experience and also what safeguards are being taken to prevent the recurrence of that tragedy,” he said.
No response from Bayer
An email sent to Bayer India remained unanswered till late Wednesday evening.
Not aware
Maheshwar Rao, Secretary, agricultural department informed that he was not aware of these pesticides. “We will look into these issues,” he said.
