SC Nod For Limited Export Of Endosulfan .

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday permitted export of banned pesticide endosulfan under close scrutiny of customs and excise department as well as the ministry of environment and forest.

A bench of Chief Justice S H Kapadia and Justices K S Radhakrishnan and Swatanter Kumar said the exports would be limited to 1,090 metric tonnes of pesticide, for which firm orders had been placed from abroad.

The pesticide manufacturers through senior advocate Harish Salve agreed to adhere strictly to the conditions laid down by the apex court and the expert committee appointed by it.

The court said by permitting export of endosulfan, two benefits would accrue -- one, the country would be rid of that much quantity of the banned pesticide and second, the manufacturers would be able to meet their commitments to importers abroad.

However, the court clarified that no one would be permitted to manufacture the pesticide in the garb of this interim order permitting limited exports. The SC said its order of May 13 on a country-wide ban on the manufacture, sale and use of this cheap and popular pesticide, citing its toxic effects on humans and environment, would continue to remain in force. The next hearing is scheduled for October 10.

Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com