Sri Lanka imposes strict conditions for the sale of herbicide Paracot

Sri Lanka Ministry of Health has decided to impose strict regulation when purchasing the widely used herbicide Paracot.

The Ministry has decided to make it compulsory for the buyer to produce the national identity card and show the necessity for the herbicide when purchasing Paracot.

The move is aimed at reducing the toxic health effects from the careless use of the herbicide.

The Ministry has started implementing the measure as a pilot project in Nuwara Eliya district where most of the country's vegetables are grown, a spokesman of the Ministry said.

Paracot, a non-selective, contact herbicide, is a popular brand of pesticide among the farmers of Sri Lanka. However, the uncontrolled use causes health problems and the Ministry of Health says it spends massive amounts of public money annually to treat the patients.

Due to its low cost and easy availability Paracot is used by many people in Sri Lanka to commit suicide.