The Government of Nepal has officially announced bans on two highly hazardous pesticides, following a landmark decision by the Pesticide Board in July.
The announcement in the Nepal Gazette also confirmed the earlier ban of an extremely toxic organophosphorus insecticide, which was withdrawn from agriculture in 2015.
Responding to the bans, Professor Michael Eddleston, Director of the Centre for Pesticide Suicide Prevention (CPSP), said:
“Congratulations to Nepal for once again taking decisive action to address the significant public health risks posed by acutely toxic pesticides.
“We are already seeing a positive impact from Nepal’s previous bans on eight pesticides in 2019, with early evidence suggesting that deaths have fallen by as much as 30%. I am confident that these new bans will lead to many more lives being saved.”
CPSP has been actively engaged in Nepal for many years, working closely with the Police Forensic Science Laboratory to collect and analyse data on pesticide poisoning. Key findings from CPSP’s recent studies were presented to the Pesticide Board ahead of their latest decision.
Dr Dilli Ram Sharma, a CPSP consultant and member of the Pesticide Board, said:
“These hazardous substances are readily available in agri-veterinary shops and are often found in rural households across Nepal. Unfortunately, they are not only linked to cases of accidental poisoning, they are also frequently used in suicides.
“The evidence presented by CPSP was hugely important in supporting the Pesticide Board’s decision to ban these two pesticides. We hope this decision will significantly reduce unnecessary deaths from pesticide poisoning.”
A two-year phase-out period has been established, allowing the sale of existing stock. However, the manufacturing and importation of these products have been immediately prohibited.
Further information
External news link: How Nepal turned the tide on ‘pesticide poisoning’ (external link to The Telegraph)
Video: Banning pesticides to prevent suicides in Nepal *warning: contains content about self-harm and suicide*