Zero tolerance policy on toxic veggies: Pinarayi Vijayan

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday said the government would initiate strict legal and penal action to check the arrival of pesticide laden vegetables and fruits into the state. He said that there was an urgent need to check the entry of toxic vegetables which was creating serious health issues in the people. “We will prohibit those agencies which are regularly bringing in toxic vegetables into the state,” he said.

The CM said a comprehensive plan would be evolved to increase the production of organic vegetables across the state. “Our aim is to spread organic farming to an area of 50,000 hectares. The LDF government aims at increasing the vegetable production to such levels that we not only attain self sufficiency but we are also able to export vegetables,” he said.

Pinarayi was inaugurating organic vegetable farming in the University College campus on Monday. The CM said similar initiatives should be taken across the state at different levels. “We need to cultivate organic vegetables and check the entry of toxic vegetables with the same zeal,” he said.

While the bulk of fruits and vegetables continue to come from the neighbouring states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, there have been serious violations in meeting safety standards. A strict monitoring mechanism to check pesticide laden fruits and vegetables is required to be put in place.

Experts say with the state producing just half the amount of vegetables that is required for domestic consumption, it has to depend heavily on the neighboring states. Considering the huge demand, the suppliers often violate safety standards.

Over 500 truckloads of fruits and vegetables enter the state daily and it goes without saying that a large quantity is laden with pesticides. According to food safety officials, pesticides are being used extensively to increase the shelf life of the produce.