Odisha Govt Extends Ban On Herbicide Paraquat For 30 More Days

Bhubaneswar: Odisha government has extended the ban on herbicide Paraquat for another 30 days in the absence of any antidote.

The Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment department, in an official order on Wednesday, said it had received feedback from various sources on the adverse effect of chemical pesticides including Paraquat on human health and animals.

“In view of public safety, the sale/stock/distribution/manufacturing/use of Paraquat and its derivatives or formulation are banned in the state for a period of another 30 days after the completion of 60 days’ ban imposed in  the previous order issued on October 5,” the order said.

The order intends to continue the ban on the pesticides that are harmful to human health and animals as Paraquat has no antidote, it added.