The Supreme Court on Friday permitted the export of nearly 1100 tonnes of endosulfan but retained the ban on manufacture, sale and use of the controversial pesticide. The exports are subject to conditions pertaining to safety. These include the prevention of poisoning and environmental pollution. 

A three judge Bench headed by the Chief Justice Mr S H Kapadia said that as against the accumulated quantity of endosulfan in stock with manufacturers, 1090.596 tonnes of the pesticide can be exported to those countries from where the orders have been received.

This is to help the manufacturers to meet their contractual obligations, the court said, adding that each exporter will have to obtain a certificate of registration for exports from the competent authority.

The packaging of the export consignment will have to be done as per the Insecticide Rules, 1971, and under the strict supervision of the officials from Customs, Excise and Environment Ministry officials, the court said.

The court added that the Customs officers at the ports should check to ensure that the seals of the consignments are not tampered with. The court also said the exporters should inform the expert committee appointed by it regarding details of export.

On August 5, the court had asked the expert panel to find out the quantity of the pesticide made in India ready for export against pending orders. The panel had recommended export of the pesticide.

On May 13, the court had imposed a total prohibition ban on production, sale and use of the pesticide stating that human life is more important than anything else and it did not want any one to suffer.

The petitioners Democratic Youth Federation of India had sought a ban on endosulfan saying that the pesticide was resulting in health hazards, including genetic disorders, in Kerala where it is used.

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