NEW DELHI: A number of deaths of farmers due to use of pesticides in Yavatmal and others districts of Maharashtra have prompted the Centre to revisit its banned list of agro-chemicals. Any decision will, however, be taken only after it receives the final report of the probe initiated by the state government.A central team, comprising experts from the Faridabad-based directorate of plant protection, quarantine and storage, has also visited the affected districts to assist the state in its probe on pesticides-related deaths. "Accountability of retailers, pesticide manufacturers and regulatory officials of state agriculture department can be fixed after the probe", said the official, noting that the expansion of the list of banned pesticides\insecticides would also depend on outcome of the ongoing probe.Acting on the recommendation of an expert committee, the ministry had early this year included 18 pesticides in the list whose use can be banned completely in a phased manner. Most of these pesticides are highly toxic to honey bees and birds. These pesticides also contaminate water bodies and underground water.

Source: Times of India October 10, 2017 15:00 UTC