[India] Asbestos, endosulfan escape blacklist

India blocked export restrictions on them at Rotterdam Convention.
India yet again played spoilsport by preventing chrysotile asbestos and endosulfan from being included in Annex III of UN’s Rotterdam Convention that brands them hazardous. Had the two been included in Annex III, it would have made mandatory for countries to take a Prior Informed Consent, or PIC, before exporting them to other countries.

Of the three substances listed for PIC at the fourth meeting of the Conference of Parties (cop-4) to the Rotterdam Convention, only tributyltin was listed at the meeting held from October 27 to 31 in Rome. While seven countries opposed asbestos from being blacklisted, in case of endosulfan only India was responsible for its exclusion.

“India was put in a spot when country after country joined in accusing it for its entrenched position of not allowing the listing of endosulfan, a highly toxic pesticide,”

said Madhumita Dutta of Chennai-based advocacy group The Other Media. Continue reading »

Filed under Environment, India, Pollution | Tags: Asbestos, Endosulfan, Exports, Hazardous Products, Health Effects, India, Pesticides And Toxins, Trade | Comment (0)