The Director-General of the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), professor Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, today 7th of May, on the ban, phase-out and reclassification of pesticides.
Adeyeye said that the Pesticides in question are applied both indoors and outdoors for the management of pests, and vector-borne diseases, and crop protection.
“They are sometimes impregnated in textiles, paints, carpets, and treated wood to control pests and fungi. However, 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.
She explained that the dangers posed by pesticides were of immense concern to the Agency, adding that there had been recent concerns from stakeholders such as the report of the study conducted by the Heinrich Boll Foundation; a non-governmental organisation that claimed that 40 percent of pesticides used in Nigeria had been banned in the EU.
Adeyeye said: “There was also an alert received from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) cautioning on the possibility that the European Union and the United Kingdom were exporting banned Neonicotinoid Pesticides to Nigeria and other Poorer Countries. Emphasis was placed on Chlorpyrifos and its variants due to their harmful effects on humans, animals, beneficial insects, and the environment.
“The mandate of NAFDAC as established by Act Cap N1 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 is to regulate and control the manufacture, importation, exportation, advertisement, distribution, sale, and use of food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, bottled water, detergents, and chemicals-referred to as regulated products.
“Safeguarding the health of the nation is paramount to the Agency. This necessitated the review and analysis of the list of registered pesticide and agrochemical active ingredients in the NAFDAC Registered Product Automated Database (NARPAD) vis-à-vis actives banned, non-approved or restricted in the European Union, other countries or by relevant international organisations.
“The outcome of the review was shared with stakeholders at a three-day virtual stakeholders engagement held on the 22nd, 24th, and 29th of November 2022. It focused on the proposed phase-out/ban of these active ingredients and had in attendance, proponent holders of marketing authorizations, Non-Governmental Organizations, Associations-All Farmers Association of Nigeria, CropLife Nigeria, Nigeria Agro-Input Dealers Association etc), Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), Research institutes amongst others.”
The DG further said that at the end of meeting, it was agreed that 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 the Agency to make evidence-based decisions and policies. NAFDAC to intensify Post Marketing Surveillance nationwide.
There should be continual sensitisation and education of relevant stakeholders on the safe and responsible use of pesticides.
“NAFDAC to engage with other sister Agencies (Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Standards Organization 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 1st January 2024, 1st November 2024, and 1st January 2025 respectively, the Agency has also initiated the action plan for the ban/phase-out of 12 active ingredients and the reclassification of 4 others as shown in the tables below. The availability of alternatives in the country were put into consideration to ensure that stakeholders most especially farmers will not be affected by the decisions taken.
NAFDAC action plan timetable are as follows, phase-out action plan for actives for immediate ban, two-year phase-out action plan for clothianidin, diquat dibromide, diquate dichloride and ametryn
Action plan; Meeting with relevant stakeholders in November 2022, Receipt of new applications and renewal of expired licenses, NAFDAC to stop receipt of new applications and renewal of expired licenses by 30th April 2023, Stop the importation of products by 31st December 2023, Field Trial evaluation of new/alternative molecules (for two cropping seasons). The trial will be conducted as applications are received
Issuance of provisional NAFDAC Reg No. for new/alternative molecules
After a successful 1st season trial, withdrawal of NAFDAC Registration license. NAFDAC is to communicate all affected applicants by December 2024, Sensitization and public enlightenment, and Continual sensitization programs for relevant stakeholders by the Agency. The moratorium for the exhaustion of available stock Jan-2024- Dec 2024
Product Ban 1st January 2025, Monitoring, Enforcement, Sanction, Mop-Up and Destruction 1st January 2025.
Three-year proposed phase-out action plan for anthraquinone, carbendazim, chlorothalonil, oxadiargyle, thiacloprid, methomyl and thiamethoxam
Action plan timetable, meeting with relevant stakeholders November 2022, Receipt of new applications and renewal of expired licenses, NAFDAC to stop receipt of new applications and renewal of expired licenses by 31ST December 2023, Stop the importation of products, 31st December 2024, Field Trial evaluation of new/alternative molecules (for 2 cropping seasons)
The trial will be conducted as applications are received Issuance of provisional NAFDAC Reg No. for new/alternative molecules.
After a successful 1st season trial, Withdrawal of the NAFDAC Registration license. NAFDAC is to communicate with all affected applicants by Dec 2025. Sensitization and public enlightenment. Continual sensitization programs for relevant stakeholders by the Agency.
The moratorium for the exhaustion of available stock is Jan-2025- Dec 2025. The Agency solicits the cooperation of the public and all relevant stakeholders in our efforts to rid the nation of these hazardous pesticides.
