By Maheesha Mudugamuwa
The Government is divided over the controversial weed killer, glyphosate, with Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera seeking an option for weed management in crops like onion and maize.
He told The Morning that the onion cultivation had been severely affected by lack of weed management options since the government imposed the ban on glyphosate in 2015.
The farmers had not cultivated at least 10,000 acres this year, Minister Amaraweera said.
“We are no opposing for re-imposing the ban on glyphosate considering the health and environment aspects. But there should be an option for farmers. If not it will affect the country’s economy,” he added.
The government should look into the serious matter faced by the farmers before it take a policy decision on implementing a ban on glyphosate, Amaraweera said.
However, Health Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne on Wednesday said that the government should immediately re-impose the ban on glyphosate. The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) and environmentalists are also with the opinion of the Health Minister as they called for a blanket ban on glyphosate.
In May this year, the government lifted the ban on glyphosate which was imposed in 2015 over fears that it was one of the causes for the kidney disease epidemic in the North-Central Province and elsewhere.
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