Endosulfan ban stays, says SC

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In view of the plea for permitting export of endosulfan, the production and sale of which has been banned, the Supreme Court (SC) sought clarification on Friday from the monitoring panel on aspects, including international conventions, before the demand could be considered.

A committee set up by the top court earlier to examine the adverse effects of the pesticide was directed to furnish details in three weeks to enable it to take a decision on the plea.

The manufactures pleaded that as a lot of stock was piled up after the ban, they be permitted to export to countries where there was no prohibition.

SC, in an interim order of May 13, had imposed an eight-week ban on endosulfan after reports of its adverse effect on human health and environment but after receiving a fresh report from the committee, it said the ban could not be lifted.