Directorate of Agricultural Marketing Board and Department of Prevention of Food Adulteration, GNCTD were present. In the meeting, the problem of residues of pesticides in fruits and vegetables, in particular the extent of residual pesticide in fruits and vegetables and finding out solutions to the problem was discussed. The burden is sought to be passed on by observing that the usage of pesticides is required to be tackled at the farmer level. Mr.N.K.Sinha has also filed an affidavit referring to drawing up of various samples in February, 2012 from APMC, Azadpur and the detection of residues of pesticides in some of the samples. Learned amicus curiae has drawn our attention to page 76 of the paper book which is Summary of Monitoring of Pesticide Residues at National Level of the Department of Agriculture and Cooperation, Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India. This pertains to the period April 2008-March 2009 which shows that only 3 vegetables were tested for presence of Pesticide Residue and not all the vegetables where presence of pesticide residue of more than the permissible limits under the PFA limits was detected. We must note that in pursuance to our last order, we have called for a Joint Report only to ensure that there is a coordinated approach rather than different departments having their own say. We find absence of such a Joint Report. In the course of hearing, learned amicus curiae has suggested that a policy must be framed jointly by the concerned authorities for periodic checks to detect the pesticide residue. Some of the suggestions made by him are as under: i) The number of vegetables and fruits to be tested should be enlarged i.e. the test should be for all the fruits and vegetables in Delhi. ii) The periodicity of the checking should be increased so that there is constant monitoring in this behalf. iii) There should be transparency in respect of flow of information to the public by loading the necessary data arising from such checking on the website and being published in the newspapers so that the public is aware of what it is purchasing and from where.
Directorate of Agricultural Marketing Board and Department of Prevention of Food Adulteration, GNCTD were present. In the meeting, the problem of residues of pesticides in fruits and vegetables, in particular the extent of residual pesticide in fruits and vegetables and finding out solutions to the problem was discussed. The burden is sought to be passed on by observing that the usage of pesticides is required to be tackled at the farmer level. Mr.N.K.Sinha has also filed an affidavit referring to drawing up of various samples in February, 2012 from APMC, Azadpur and the detection of residues of pesticides in some of the samples. Learned amicus curiae has drawn our attention to page 76 of the paper book which is Summary of Monitoring of Pesticide Residues at National Level of the Department of Agriculture and Cooperation, Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India. This pertains to the period April 2008-March 2009 which shows that only 3 vegetables were tested for presence of Pesticide Residue and not all the vegetables where presence of pesticide residue of more than the permissible limits under the PFA limits was detected. We must note that in pursuance to our last order, we have called for a Joint Report only to ensure that there is a coordinated approach rather than different departments having their own say. We find absence of such a Joint Report. In the course of hearing, learned amicus curiae has suggested that a policy must be framed jointly by the concerned authorities for periodic checks to detect the pesticide residue. Some of the suggestions made by him are as under: i) The number of vegetables and fruits to be tested should be enlarged i.e. the test should be for all the fruits and vegetables in Delhi. ii) The periodicity of the checking should be increased so that there is constant monitoring in this behalf. iii) There should be transparency in respect of flow of information to the public by loading the necessary data arising from such checking on the website and being published in the newspapers so that the public is aware of what it is purchasing and from where.
Pesticide%20Residues%20Delhi%20High%20Court%20Order%20Feb%202012.docx