Sri Lanka Govt. mulls lifting ban on herbicides
The government is now reconsidering lifting the ban on herbicides while it is yet to take a policy decision on fertiliser subsidy payments to the tea sector. Glyphosate continues to be banned in Sri Lanka which is a herbicide available at a lower cost compared to others available in the market.
Plantation Minister Ramesh Pathirana speaking with the Business Times on Wednesday said that while Europe is also looking at banning glyphosate they were looking positively at lifting the ban on herbicides but would go in search of other options.
In this respect, he said the Tea Research Institute (TRI) will provide the necessary guideline. Sri Lanka imposed a ban on herbicides and pesticides on May 6, 2021.
Glyphosate is not completely banned across the globe and the consideration in Europe is to be taken up this year as the time lapse on the use of the herbicide is dated for December 15, 2022.
This herbicide has come up against a number of legal battles as opposition mounts against its use insisting that it has become a substance that is likely to be cancerous.
However, experts insist that any product that is applied without adhering to the required recommendations could cause residues and other issues.
With the growing incidence of farmers in Sri Lanka relying on the use of illegally imported pesticides and herbicides which is a larger concern today, it is believed that resuming the registering of the currently banned product is a better option.
There were two other products available in the market that could take the place of glyphosate but following the ban on glyphosate these products doubled in price, Peradeniya University Crop Science Senior Prof. Buddhi Marambe told the Business Times.
The two products from Germany and India became more expensive for the farmer to buy as a result of the ban imposed on herbicides.
These alternatives are said to have obtained the recommendation of the TRI as well, it was pointed out.
Meanwhile, granting subsidies to the tea sector is yet to receive Cabinet approval, the minister said adding that no policy decision had been taken yet on this and they were considering granting this subsidy on a long term basis.
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