FG Bans Import of Harmful Neonicotinoid Pesticides

The Federal Government has banned the import of neonicotinoid pesticides into the country following the European Union’s ban of the pesticide because of its harmful effects on humans.

The development was disclosed in a memo by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), with reference number FMARD/FISS/GEN/442/1/48, titled ‘European Union and the United Kingdom Exporting Banned Neonicotinoid Pesticides to Nigeria and Other Poorer Countries”.

The memo was signed by the Director, Farm Inputs Support Service Department, FMARD, Tunde Bello, on behalf of the Permanent Secretary, Mr Ernest Afolabi Umakhihe.

“In furtherance of the banning of Neonicotinoid pesticides by the European Union and its unpopular shipment from countries within the Union to poorer countries including Nigeria, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development hereby notify you and others, stakeholders of the immediate ban of the product in Nigeria,” the memo read in part.

According to the memo, agrochemical products with chlorpyrifos active ingredients and variant chlorpyrifos-methyl such as Blocade, Cortilan, OleoRel, Pyrinex and Reldan have also been banned.

The ministry explained that the chemicals have been banned for use in farms in Europe due to their harmful effect on humans, animals, beneficial insects and the environment.

Furthermore, the ministry urged the members of the public to stop the distribution and marketing of the toxic pesticides, noting that it was set to embark on sensitization of farmers to enlighten them on the consequences of using the banned pesticides.

Agro Nigeria