Customs seize banned intoxicants

6 June 2011 08:13 am

By Supun Dias

The Sri Lanka Customs seized a consignment of intoxicants containing elements banned by the Pesticide Control Board. The consignment, imported by six multinational agro-chemical companies had 400 parcels, each sample containing 100 to 500 miligrammes of banned elements such as Arsenic.

Informed sources said that a chemical called ‘Glycophosate’ also known as round up is extensively contained in the parcels.  

The intoxicants have been imported as insecticides, herbicides, rodenticides, bactericides and fungicides. Some pesticides are regulated as "restricted use" which means that only certified applicators may buy or apply these pesticides.