A quarantine laboratory has been set up in Biratnagar 1 to test pesticides in vegetables and fruits. The laboratory started operations on Monday from the building of the Ministry of Land Management, Agriculture and Cooperatives of the state. So far, vegetables and fruits imported from India were allowed into Nepal without any pesticide tests being done.

With the laboratory into operation, all fruits and vegetables being imported from India would be pesticide-tested before allowing into Nepal, said Mukesh Yadav, chief of the laboratory. The laboratory is expected to address public concerns about vegetables and fruits allegedly containing high amounts of pesticides being imported unchecked from India, he added.