The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has announced that the ban of  pesticide and agrochemical active ingredients  Paraquat, Chlorpyrifos, and Atrazine effectively starts 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  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.

According to a press release by the  Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye,

pesticides are applied both indoors and outdoors for the management of pests, vector-borne diseases, and for 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.

The dangers posed by pesticides are of immense concern to the Agency and there have been recent concerns from stakeholders such as the report of the study conducted by Heinrich Boll Foundation; a non-governmental organization that claimed that 40% of pesticides used in Nigeria had been banned in the EU.

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 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 organizations.

The outcome of the review was shared with stakeholders at a three (3) 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.

At the end of the 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 make evidence-based decisions and policies.

NAFDAC to intensify Post Marketing Surveillance nationwide.

There should be continual sensitization 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.

 Her is the action plan for the ban/phase-out of 12 active ingredients and the reclassification of 4 others.

S/N

ACTION PLAN

TIME TABLE

1

Carbofuran

Immediate

PHASE-OUT ACTION PLAN FOR ACTIVES FOR IMMEDIATE BAN

TWO-YEAR PHASE-OUT ACTION PLAN FOR CLOTHIANIDIN, DIQUAT DIBROMIDE, DIQUATE DICHLORIDE AND AMETRYN

S/N

ACTION PLAN

TIME TABLE

1

Meeting with relevant stakeholders

November 2022

2

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

3

Stop the importation of products

31st December 2023

4

Field Trial evaluation of new/alternative molecules (for 2 cropping seasons)

The trial will be conducted as applications are received

5

Issuance of provisional NAFDAC Reg No. for new/alternative molecules

After a successful 1st season trial.

6

Withdrawal of NAFDAC Registration license

NAFDAC to communicate all affected applicants by December 2024

7

Sensitization and public enlightenment

Continual sensitization programs for relevant stakeholders by the Agency.

8

The moratorium for the exhaustion of available stock

Jan-2024- Dec 2024

9

Product Ban

1st January 2025

10

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

S/N

ACTION PLAN

TIMETABLE

1

Meeting with relevant stakeholders

November 2022

2

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

3

Stop the importation of products

31st December 2024

4

Field Trial evaluation of new/alternative molecules (for 2 cropping seasons)

The trial will be conducted as applications are received

5

Issuance of provisional NAFDAC Reg No. for new/alternative molecules

After a successful 1st season trial.

6

Withdrawal of NAFDAC Registration license

NAFDAC to communicate all affected applicants by Dec 2025

7

Sensitization and public enlightenment

Continual sensitization programs for relevant stakeholders by the Agency.

8

The moratorium for the exhaustion of available stock

Jan-2025- Dec 2025

9

Product Ban

1st January 2026

10

Monitoring, Enforcement, Sanction, Mop-Up, and Destruction

1st January 2026

THREE-YEAR PROPOSED RECLASSIFICATION PLAN FOR FIPRONIL, PERMETHRIN, CYFLUTHRIN AND AMITRAZ FROM CROP PROTECTION PRODUCTS TO HOUSEHOLD USE ONLY.

S/N

ACTION PLAN

TIMETABLE

1

Meeting with relevant stakeholders

November 2022

2

Receipt of new applications and renewal of expired licenses for Crop Protection Products

NAFDAC to stop receipt of new applications and renewal of expired licenses by 31ST December 2023

3

Stop importation of active Crop Protection Products

31st December 2025

4

Field Trial evaluation of new/alternative molecules (for 2 cropping seasons)

The trial will be conducted as applications are received

5

Issuance of provisional NAFDAC Reg No. for new/alternative molecules

After a successful 1st season trial.

6

Withdrawal of NAFDAC Registration license for Crop Protection products

NAFDAC to communicate all affected applicants by Dec 2026

7

Sensitization and public enlightenment

Continual sensitization programs for relevant stakeholders by the Agency.

8

The moratorium for the exhaustion of available stocks

Jan-2026- Dec 2026

9

Product Ban for Crop Protection

1st January 2027

10

Monitoring, Enforcement, Sanction, Mop-Up and Destruction

1st January 2027

The Agency solicits the cooperation of the public and all relevant stakeholders in our efforts to rid the nation of these hazardous pesticides.