Group SeeKs Action Against Importation of Banned Pesticides

A group, CropLife Nigeria (CLN), has demanded urgent and decisive action to stop the continued importation, distribution and sale of banned pesticides in Nigeria. It warned that the trend poses serious risks to public health, food safety and the country’s agricultural exports.

At a press conference in Abuja yesterday, the president of CropLife Nigeria, Marthins Awofisayo, said the organisation was deeply concerned about the continued circulation of paraquat, diquat, atrazine and chlorpyrifos despite their ban by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in 2023.

Awofisayo said the manufacture, importation, distribution and use of the affected products, including combinations containing them, were prohibited by NAFDAC.

He said the continued importation and distribution of the banned pesticides undermined Nigeria’s regulatory framework, exposed farmers and consumers to health risks, threatened food safety and could contribute to the rejection of Nigerian agricultural produce in international markets.

The group said its members, in collaboration with NAFDAC, had already developed and introduced alternative products to replace the banned pesticides.

In a statement, the organisation called on NAFDAC, the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), the Farm Inputs Support Services (FISS) Department of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, the Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), other law enforcement agencies, state governments and relevant stakeholders to strengthen enforcement against the trade in banned pesticides.

CLN specifically urged the authorities to strengthen surveillance and intelligence-led inspections at land borders, ports and other major entry points to prevent the illegal importation of the products.

It also called for increased market surveillance and routine inspections of agrochemical markets nationwide to identify and remove banned pesticides from circulation.

The organisation further demanded the swift investigation and prosecution of individuals and organisations involved in the importation, distribution and sale of banned pesticides.

It urged stronger collaboration among NAFDAC, NESREA, FISS, the Nigeria Customs Service, security agencies and neighbouring countries to disrupt cross-border smuggling networks.

CropLife Nigeria also called for sustained awareness campaigns to educate farmers about the dangers of purchasing banned pesticides and the importance of obtaining agricultural chemicals only from NAFDAC-authorised distributors.

The organisation recommended the establishment and strengthening of effective product traceability systems and enforcement mechanisms to prevent banned pesticides from re-entering the Nigerian market.

CropLife Nigeria reiterated its commitment to working with NAFDAC, NESREA, FISS and other stakeholders to strengthen pesticide regulation and promote national food security and safety.

CLN stressed that effective enforcement of the ban would not only protect Nigerian farmers and consumers but also safeguard the reputation and international acceptance of the country’s agricultural produce.