Glyphosate is the most used weedkiller in India with over 675,000 Kg of it spread on Indian farmland in 2018-2019, however a new change on who is allowed to spray glyphosate, which is set to be introduced by the Indian government, will immediately massively reduce sales of the chemical across the country.

The draft notification that was made public on Friday outlines how the Indian government wishes to approach the glyphosate issue in the country in the short-term:

“Whereas the Central Government has received a report from the Government of Kerala for prohibiting the distribution, sale and use of Glyphosate and its derivatives;

And whereas the Central Government, after considering the report of the State Government of Kerala and after consultation with the Registration Committee set up under the Insecticides Act, 1968 (46 of 1968), proposes to make, the Draft Order…This Order may be called the Restriction on use of Glyphosate Order, 2020:

• No person shall use Glyphosate except through Pest Control Operators.

• All the holders of certificate of registration granted for Glyphosate and its derivatives shall return the certificate of registration to the Registration Committee for incorporation of the warning in bold letters “THE USE OF GLYPHOSATE FORMULATION TO BE ALLOWED THROUGH PEST CONTROL OPERATORS (PCOs)” on the label and leaflets.

• If any person who holds the certificate of registration fails to return the certificate to the Registration Committee, referred to in clause (3), within a period of three months, action shall be taken under the provisions contained in the said Act.

• Every State Government shall take all such steps under the provisions of the said Act and the rules framed thereunder, as it considers necessary for the execution of this Order in the State.