The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has expressed concern about the importation of pesticides already banned in Europe into Nigeria.
NAFDAC also expressed concern about the toxicity associated with pesticide misuse and abuse, claiming that it affects food safety and security.
The alert was issued by NAFDAC’s Director General, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, in a statement signed by the agency’s Resident Media Consultant, Sayo Akintola.
“The dangers posed by pesticides are of enormous concern to the agency, and there have been recent concerns from stakeholders such as the report of the study conducted by the Heinrich Boll Foundation; a non-governmental organization that claimed that 40% of pesticides are hazardous to human health.”
Pesticides used in Nigeria were prohibited in the EU.
“The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development also issued a warning about the possibility of the European Union and the United Kingdom exporting banned Neonicotinoid Pesticides to Nigeria and other poorer countries.” The toxic effects of chlorpyrifos and its variants on humans, animals, beneficial insects, and the environment were highlighted.
“NAFDAC’s constitutional mandate is to regulate and control the manufacture, importation, exportation, advertisement, distribution, sale, and use of food, drugs, cosmetics, detergent, and other products.”
“This required a review and analysis of the list of registered pesticide and agrochemical active ingredients in the NAFDAC Registered Product Automated Database in relation to prohibited and non-approved activities.”
The review’s findings were shared with stakeholders during a three-day virtual stakeholder engagement, according to the agency.
It went on to say that the review meeting was heavily focused on the proposed phase-out and ban of the active ingredients.
“At the meeting’s conclusion, it was agreed that pesticide and agrochemical importers and manufacturers should implement stewardship plans such as Post Marketing Surveillance and research in their businesses.”
“NAFDAC would work with research institutes to conduct pesticide research and generate scientific data to enable the agency to make evidence-based decisions and policies.” NAFDAC would also increase Post-Marketing Surveillance across the country, as well as continue to sensitize and educate relevant stakeholders on the safe and responsible use of pesticides.
“NAFDAC would participate.”
with other sister organizations such as the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Nigerian Standard Organization.
“Other organizations with which the agency will collaborate include the National Environmental Standards and Regulation Enforcement Agency and the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service,” it stated.
It went on to say that the collaboration was to ensure synergy in pesticide and agrochemical product regulation.
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