Important Intervention NHRC alarmed over increasing pesticides in vegetables, fruit, meat and spices
The National Human Rights Commission got alarmed over a media report that there had been an almost two-fold increase in the level of pesticides in vegetables, fruits, meat and spices in the last six years. The report was based on the findings of the Union Agriculture Ministry.
Taking its suo motu cognizance, the Commission has issued notices to several authorities in the Centre and the State Governments. They include the Chairperson, Food and Safety Standard Authority of India, Secretary, Union Ministry of Food Processing Industries and Secretaries, In-Charge of Food and Agriculture of all States.
The Commission has also asked them to inform about the action taken to minimize the residue level in vegetables, foods, meat and spices within limits of permitted Maximum Residue Level (MRL).
The Commission, while issuing notices, has observed that "It has been repeatedly pointed out by the Hon'ble Supreme Court that the right to food is a Fundamental Right to Life, guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution of India. It is to be emphasized that any food article, which is hazardous and injurious to public health, is a potential danger to the Fundamental Right to Life. The enjoyment of life and attainment, including Right to Life and human dignity encompasses, within its ambit, availability of articles of food, without insecticides or pesticides residues, veterinary drugs residues, antibiotic residues, solvent residues etc."
It also pointed out that "Though, it is the paramount duty of the States and its authorities to achieve an appropriate level for protection of human life and health, which is a Fundamental Right as well as human right, the reports of rampant use of pesticides etc. in food articles continue to pour in."
Taking its suo motu cognizance, the Commission has issued notices to several authorities in the Centre and the State Governments. They include the Chairperson, Food and Safety Standard Authority of India, Secretary, Union Ministry of Food Processing Industries and Secretaries, In-Charge of Food and Agriculture of all States.
The Commission has also asked them to inform about the action taken to minimize the residue level in vegetables, foods, meat and spices within limits of permitted Maximum Residue Level (MRL).
The Commission, while issuing notices, has observed that "It has been repeatedly pointed out by the Hon'ble Supreme Court that the right to food is a Fundamental Right to Life, guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution of India. It is to be emphasized that any food article, which is hazardous and injurious to public health, is a potential danger to the Fundamental Right to Life. The enjoyment of life and attainment, including Right to Life and human dignity encompasses, within its ambit, availability of articles of food, without insecticides or pesticides residues, veterinary drugs residues, antibiotic residues, solvent residues etc."
It also pointed out that "Though, it is the paramount duty of the States and its authorities to achieve an appropriate level for protection of human life and health, which is a Fundamental Right as well as human right, the reports of rampant use of pesticides etc. in food articles continue to pour in."