SC orders to test level of pesticides in veggies, fruits at customs points

KATHMANDU, May 5: The Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday issued a mandamus to submit a report within two months at the SC after testing the level of pesticides in all vegetables and fruits imported from India and other countries. 

A division bench of justices Shushmalata Mathema and Nahakul Subedi made such an order along with a four-point directive on this issue.

Likewise, the SC has directed the government to test the level of pesticides in all imported vegetables and fruits at the customs points by establishing laboratories there.

The SC has further ordered the government to equip such labs with international-level equipment and skilled human resources.

Similarly, the SC has sought the government's preparations on effective implementation of national and international laws and standards in regard to regulating the usage of pesticides.

Likewise, the SC has asked the stakeholders to furnish a response at the SC on the implementation of the plans and standards made in the past four years after the SC's order in July 2019.