Alliance for Action on Pesticides Nigeria (AAPN), Barr. Oreoluwa Adelakun, has revealed that government and stakeholders have participated often unknowingly in distributing inputs that include extremely toxic pesticides linked to acute poisoning, neurological damage and environmental harm.
In a media briefing in Abuja on Thursday to stop toxic pesticides – protect our food and health and future, she expressed worry over the widespread poorly regulated distribution of highly hazardous Pesticides (HHPs) across the country.
According to her, more than 65% of the active ingredients in pesticides used across Nigeria have been classified as highly hazardous by experts, raising serious concerns about public health, food safety, and environmental sustainability.
Adelakun explained that though pesticides play a significant role in Nigerian agriculture but their use also presents deeper and bigger challenges across public health trade and environmental domains- even when viable alternatives and innovations in Nigeria and globally are fast on the increase.
She emphasised that while the intentions behind the distribution of pesticides is often to support farmers and increase productivity, the reality is far more dangerous, adding that government and stakeholders has participated often unknowingly in distributing inputs that include extremely toxic pesticides linked to acute poisoning, neurological damage and environmental harm.
“A critical concern is that a significant a significant portion of these pesticides fall under the category of Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs), over 65% of the active ingredients in pesticides used in Nigeria are classified as highly hazardous, many of which are banned or strictly regulated in other countries due to serious health and environmental risks,” she warned.
Adelakun revealed that Nigeria currently registers and allows over 400 pesticide formulation, more than 50% of which are considered highly hazardous and most of them have been banned by regulatory authorities in the European Union (EU), the United States and parts of Asia adding that due to weak regulations, lack of farmer training, poor monitoring systems and labelling, these chemicals are used without precaution and distributed without accountability.
Corroborating, Environmental Toxicologist and Policy Advocate, Mr. Victor Fabunmi, lamented the lackadaisical attitude of regulatory agencies and enforcement failure adding that regulatory inaction has created an environment where any group regardless of knowledge or training can distribute dangerous inputs to unsuspecting farming communities under the banner of help, an act that must stop.
“Despite existing policies, many digital marketplaces continue to list pesticides that are outlawed or restricted without safety information, secure labelling or oversight, these inputs are openly marketed to farmers nationwide even teenagers and first-time internet users can order banned chemicals with a few clicks.
“We strongly condemn both physical and online sellers who continue to profit from these hazardous products in defiance of regulations, we also call out regulatory failure and urge both NAFDAC and FCCPC to take immediate action,” she said.
Also, Agroecology and Food Safety Advocate, HOMEF, Joyce Brown, on her part called on legislators, Ministries of Agriculture and philanthropic non-governmental organisations to include bio-pesticides, organic fertilizers, agroecology practices manual and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) kits in their constituency program, input support schemes, donations, extension services programs and budget line items.