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Agriculture Dept. takes steps to implement Glyphosate ban
The Agriculture Department has taken steps to ensure that the ban on the hazardous herbicide, Glyphosate, is strictly implemented throughout the country.
The move follows a presidential declaration on Friday, proscribing Glyphosate, which is believed to be the main substance causing the chronic kidney disease that is widespread in the North Centra Province.
Agriculture Department Director General Dr. Rohan Wijekoon said, “We have sent letters cancelling the permits issued to companies that market these products in Sri Lanka, although the ministry is yet to publish a gazette notification on the ban.”
In March this year, the International Agency for Research on Cancer, under the auspices of the World Health Organisation (WHO), classified the world’s most widely used herbicide, glyphosate as a ‘probable’ cause of cancer in humans, rating it a 2A classification.
In addition to the WHO classification, two scientific research studies carried out by Dr. Channa Jayasumana also influenced the ban, the Sunday Times learns.
Dr. Jayasumana said: “We have evidence to believe that one of the major problems caused by Glyphosate is the rapid spread of the Chronic Kidney Disease. Our research found water in abandoned wells in the rice producing dry zones had been contaminated by this chemical.”
He said that although it was not proved 100 per cent that Glyphosate was a major cause of kidney failure, there was enough evidence to support the argument.
The sale of the Glyphosate herbicide was first banned in March 2014 but this decision was overturned in May 2014 following a review.
All Ceylon Agriculture Farmers Association President Namal Karunaratne said these types of herbicides had been banned in the past but they were still freely available in the market.
“These herbicides are supplied by several multinational companies. The very same companies also supply medicine to treat the diseases caused by these products,” he said.