Restriction for Use of Glyphosate
Source: DTE
GS III: Environment and Conservation
What is discussed under Restriction for Use of Glyphosate?
- Glyphosate
- Key Highlights About the Restriction
Why in News?
A warning limiting the use of the widely used herbicide glyphosate was released by the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, citing risks to both human and animal health.
Glyphosate
- Glyphosate is an herbicide.
- It is used to eliminate grasses and broadleaf plants by applying it on plant leaves.
Image by Clker-Free-Vector-Images from Pixabay - Specific crops are allowed to grow by using glyphosate in the sodium salt form.
- There are several variations of glyphosate, including acid and multiple salts.
- These come in two forms:
- solids and liquids with an amber color.
- As a non-selective herbicide, glyphosate will destroy the majority of plants.
- It hinders the production of several proteins that plants require for development.
- The shikimic acid route is a particular enzyme pathway that glyphosate blocks.
- Plants and certain microbes require the shikimic acid pathway.
Signs and symptoms from exposure
- Although products often incorporate additional compounds that aid in the glyphosate’s penetration into plants, pure glyphosate has a low toxicity level.
- The product’s additional components may increase its toxicity.
- Glyphosate-containing products may irritate the skin or eyes.
- People who inhaled spray mist from glyphosate-containing goods had nose and throat discomfort.
- Swallowing glyphosate-containing items might result in increased salivation, mouth and throat burn, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea.
- Instances of purposeful consumption have been known to result in fatalities.
Key Highlights About the Restriction
- Similar measures have previously been attempted but failed by the state governments of Maharashtra, Telangana, Punjab, and Andhra Pradesh.
- According to Pesticide Action Network (PAN) India, more severe measures are required.
- The announcement was based on a 2019 study by the Kerala government that called for banning the use, sale, and distribution of glyphosate and its derivatives.
- The use of glyphosate is prohibited or limited in about 35 countries. Sri Lanka, the Netherlands, France, Colombia, Canada, Israel, and Argentina are among them.
- Glyphosate has only been authorised for usage in tea plantations and non-plantation regions surrounding the tea crop in India.
- Any other use of the drug is prohibited.
Daily Current Affairs: Click Here