A major global agreement was reached under Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) at Geneva to eliminate the use of Chlorpyrifos, one of the most hazardous pesticides, with certain exemptions. India opposed the complete ban, citing lack of alternatives and potential food security threats.
Key Highlights of Decision
- The decision was made at the Conference of the Parties (COPs) to the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm (BRS) Conventions in Geneva, Switzerland.
- Chlorpyrifos was added to Annex A (elimination list) of the Stockholm Convention.
- Over 40 countries, including the EU, UK, and USA, have already banned Chlorpyrifos on food crops.
India’s Position on Chlorpyrifos
- India opposed a complete ban, citing:
- Lack of viable alternatives
- Potential threat to food security
- India negotiated exemptions for continued use over the next five years on 12 major crops:
- Rice, wheat, gram, sugarcane, beans, cotton, mustard, brinjal, onion, apple, barley, groundnut
- Exemptions also cover:
- Control of leaf-cutting ants, locusts, ticks in cattle
- Wood preservation against borers and termites
About Chlorpyrifos
- Type: Organophosphate insecticide (ester of phosphoric acid)
- Uses: Agriculture, public health (termites, mosquitoes, roundworms), urban pests
- Mechanism: Inhibits acetylcholinesterase enzyme, critical for nerve function
- Health Impacts:
- Short-term: headache, nausea, dizziness, muscle cramps
- Severe: paralysis, respiratory failure
- Toxic byproduct: Chlorpyrifos oxon
- Environmental Impacts:
- Persists in soil (weeks–years), slow breakdown, water contamination via erosion
- Highly toxic to birds (robins, mallards), fish, bees, earthworms
- Bioaccumulates in the food chain
India’s Context
- Registered under Insecticides Act, 1977
- Accounted for 9.4% of India’s insecticide use (2016–17)
- Classified:
- Moderately hazardous (WHO)
- Possible carcinogen (US EPA)
- Residues found in Indian food, water, blood, breast milk
- Anupam Verma Committee (2013–2015) reviewed 66 pesticides; flagged Chlorpyrifos as toxic to fish and bees
About Stockholm Convention on POPs
- Adopted: 2001; Entered into force: 2004
- Objective: Protect human health and environment from POPs
- Annexes:
- Annex A: Elimination
- Annex B: Restriction
- Annex C: Reduction of unintentional release
- Financial Mechanism: Global Environmental Facility (GEF)
- India: Ratified in 2006; notified ‘Regulation of Persistent Organic Pollutants Rules, 2018’ under Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
About POPs (Persistent Organic Pollutants)
- Definition: Toxic, carbon-based chemicals that resist degradation, persist in the environment, and accumulate in organisms
- Health Impacts: Cancer, immune suppression, neurotoxicity, reproductive and endocrine disruption
- Environmental Behavior:
- Bioaccumulation in fatty tissues
- Biomagnification up the food chain, affecting top predators and humans
Significance of Decision
- Marks a global shift toward reducing highly hazardous chemicals
- Pushes countries like India to find safer alternatives
- Reflects a balance between environmental protection and national food security concerns