The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development reportedly sent out an alert to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control warning that it was possible that the European Union and the United Kingdom were exporting restricted neonicotinoid pesticides to Nigeria and other developing nations.
Mojisola Adeyeye, Director-General of NAFDAC, said in a statement yesterday that the agency is deeply concerned about the dangers posed by pesticides.
She also cited a Heinrich Boll Foundation study that claimed 40% of pesticides used in Nigeria were banned in the European Union.
She stated that the emphasis was placed on chlorpyrifos and its variants due to their harmful effects on humans, animals, beneficial insects, and the environment.
She stated that NAFDAC had developed an action plan for the ban/phase-out of 12 active ingredients as well as the reclassification of four other harmful pesticides in Nigeria.
She stated that the availability of alternatives in the country was taken into account to ensure that stakeholders, particularly farmers, were not harmed by the decisions made.
Adeyeye said paraquat, chlorpyrifos, atrazine pesticides had been banned with effect from January 1, 2024, November 1, 2024 and January 1, 2025 respectively.
She said the said the toxicity associated with the misuse and abuse of pesticides is worrisome as it affects food safety and food security.
“The toxicity of pesticides is managed through stringent regulatory activities to reduce severe health implications on humans, crops, and the environment. This can be achieved through awareness and continual sensitization of stakeholders.”
She said efforts to address harmful pesticides necessitated the review and analysis of the list of registered pesticide and agrochemical active ingredients in the NAFDAC Registered Product Automated Database vis-à-vis actives banned, non-approved or restricted in the European Union, other countries or by relevant international organizations.