The Alliance for Action on Pesticide in Nigeria (AAPN) calls to look into the gaps in pesticide regulation

The Alliance for Action on Pesticide in Nigeria (AAPN) has recommended that the National Assembly (NASS) should set up an investigative committee to look into the gaps in pesticide regulation in Nigeria.

The Alliance made the recommendation in a communiqué issued at the end of a stakeholders’ dialogue on Pesticide Regulation and Use in Nigeria, on Thursday, in Abuja.

Representatives of CSOs, NGOs, government officials, Academia and Independent Nigerian scientist at the Stakeholder Dialogue on Pesticide Regulation & Use in Nigeria

AAPN said this would ensure harmonisation between existing role players and apply pressure to accelerate the review of existing policy framework and practices.

The communiqué, which was endorsed by members of the Alliance, was read by Prof. Simon Irtwange, the National President, Association of Yam Farmers and Processors of Nigeria, Mrs Mary Afan, the National President, Small-Scale Women Farmers Organisation in Nigeria (SWOFON).

Others are Prof. Gbolagade Ayoola, the President, Farm and Infrastructure Foundation (FIF) and Chief Daniel Okafor, National President, Potato Farmers Association of Nigeria, on behalf of the Coalition.

AAPN, is a Coalition of NGOs, academia and experts who seek to increase awareness and demand improved regulation of pesticides markets.

The Alliance also recommended that the House of Representatives and the Senate should accelerate the passage of the bill that seeks the establishment of the Nigerian Pesticide Council.

It said that the act should ensure that no pesticide phased out in Europe or other leading markets were allowed into Nigeria.

“NASS should accelerate the passage of the Food Safety Management Bill of 2019 as presented by the Federal Ministry of Health.

“NASS should demand that the Federal Ministry of Agriculture come up with policy strategy.

“NAFDAC should immediately make public and accelerate the review of its list of banned pesticide in Nigeria and ensure that all active ingredients are not approved in markets with strong food safety and environmental protection standards.

“Nigeria and other countries of the globe should not be become dumping grounds for highly hazardous pesticides, Nigerian lives like that of the Europe and should be protected,” he said.

The Alliance observed that 40 per cent of the pesticide products registered in Nigeria had been withdrawn from the European market or are heavenly restricted.

“This 40 per cent represents 57 active ingredients in 402 products that are still in use in Nigeria, many of these belong to the group of Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs), which are especially dangerous for human health, animals and the environment,” he said.