However, Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar attributed the disastrous consequences of the pesticide to aerial spraying of endosulfan which was against the guidelines.

Replying to supplementaries during Question Hour, Pawar stated that farmers in a number of states have said they have no problem in using endosulfan as it was giving good results. The Karnataka cabinet last week decided to ban use of endosulfan for a period of six months.

Aerial spraying of endosulfan was undertaken by Karnataka Cashew Development Board in villages of Dakshina Kannada to control T-mosquito pest in the crop. The Endosulfan Manufacturers and Formulators Welfare Association (EMFWA) have moved the Karnataka High Court challenging the ban imposed by the state government.

Pawar said the government had set up four expert committees since 1991 and each one of them had recommended continued use of endosulfan. To a question on ban in several countries on use of endosulfan, Pawar said the pesticide was being used in at least 40 countries, including Brazil, Australia and China.

Pawar said farmers have been advised against spraying of endosulfan on crops, particularly cashew-nut plantations.