Regulations to standardize pesticide use

Shirley Wijesinghe

The registrar of pesticides will introduce three new regulations to minimize the public danger in application of pesticides in the country.

According to the Government sources, the regulations are at draft level and the usage of pesticides is to be standardized thereby.

The law and regulations related to the uses and the application of pesticide by employees or hired persons will be implemented before the end of this year.

According to the new regulations, the fine for errant pesticide users will be increased to Rs.500,000 from Rs.100,000 and the relevant Cabinet approval has already been obtained, sources added.

Studies are being conducted to ascertain necessary measures to fine pesticide users who violate the instructions been printed on the pesticides container. A survey done by the Agriculture Department revealed that over 70 percent of the pesticide users do not follow the instructions marked on the pesticide container and nearly 82 percent of them are admitted to the hospital for medical treatment.