The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has begun the process of phasing out and banning certain harmful pesticides.
It stated that while pesticides are applied both indoors and outdoors for the management of pests, vector-borne diseases, and for crop protection, the dangers posed are immense if the toxicity is not properly managed.
The agency added that a report by Heinrich Boll Foundation claimed that 40 per cent of pesticides used in Nigeria had been banned in the European Union (EU).
A statement by NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, necessitated a stakeholders’ engagement to review and analyse the list of registered pesticide and agrochemical active ingredients in the NAFDAC Registered Product Automated Database (NARPAD) vis-à-vis active, banned, non-approved or restricted in the EU, other countries or by relevant international organizations.
The statement reads: “NAFDAC to intensify Post Marketing Surveillance nationwide. Pesticide and agrochemical importers and manufacturers would be advised to institute stewardship plans (such as Post Marketing Surveillance and research) in their companies. NAFDAC to collaborate with research institutes in the conduct of research and scientific data generation on pesticides to enable it make evidence-based decisions and policies.
“NAFDAC to engage sister agencies (Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Standards Organisation of Nigeria, National Environmental Standards and Regulation Enforcement Agency, Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service), to ensure synergy in the regulation of pesticide and agrochemical products.
“In addition to the ban of Paraquat, Chlorpyrifos, and Atrazine with effective dates from January 1, 2024, November 1, 2024, and January 1, 2025, NAFDAC has also initiated the action plan for the ban/phase-out of 12 active ingredients and the reclassification of four others. The availability of alternatives was considered to ensure stakeholders, most especially farmers, will not be affected by the decisions taken.”
Credit: thenationonlineng.net
