Bill to Ban Fake and Contraband Pesticides scheduled for second reading

The House of Representatives cleared a bill for a second reading Tuesday in plenary that seeks to establish the Nigerian Pesticide Council to combat bogus and illicit pesticides that have made their way into Nigerian markets.

Hon. Danduste Muntari, Chairman of the House Committee on Agricultural Production and Services, is sponsoring a bill titled “A Bill for an Act to Provide for the Establishment of the Nigeria Pesticide Council, and for Related Matters.”

Muntari, who led the debate on the bill’s broad principles, said it’s critical to have a controlled framework to checkmate the agrochemical industry.

Because of the absence of the Pesticide Bill, he claims, “there is rampant adulteration and counterfeiting of these plant protection chemicals, causing catastrophic damage to the crop, soil, and economy of millions of farmers in Nigeria, among others.”

According to him, the bill aims to impose stricter regulations on the procurement, usage, and use of products, as well as serve as a catalyst for the country’s food security.

When passed, the bill will empower and enable the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to have a data bank of licensed pesticides, current manufacturers and importers, as well as a compendium of agro-dealers handling the products across the country, according to the member.

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“The significance of the Pesticide Bill in a developing country like Nigeria, which is Africa’s giant and whose biggest comparative advantage is agriculture, cannot be overstated,” he said.

Pests and diseases wreak havoc on crop yields and quality, necessitating the use of high-quality, environmentally friendly treatments to prevent losses of 50 to 100 percent. Product quality and efficacy will also be addressed in the Pesticide Bill.”