By Faridat Salifu
Alliance for Action on Pesticides in Nigeria (AAPN) in collaboration with the Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), has unveiled a comprehensive report, shedding light on the widespread usage of pesticides in the Nigerian market.
The report, which was unveiled at a recent Media briefing, called for increased transparency and regulatory measures to safeguard public health and the environment.
The dossier stressed the “Right to Know,” advocating for access to accurate and comprehensive information about the chemicals individuals are exposed to, highlighting the necessity of informed choices in modern agriculture.
Alarming findings from the report revealed that 47% of active pesticide ingredients in Nigeria are banned in Europe, and 83.3% of the analysed pesticides are classified as Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs), posing a clear threat to human health and the environment.
The report categorized 16 insecticides, nine herbicides, and five fungicides as Highly Hazardous, raising concerns due to their prevalence in Nigerian agriculture.
Notably, 60% of the active ingredients are linked to cancer, while 73% are identified as endocrine disruptors and various percentages are toxic to different bodily systems.
In response, AAPN presented a set of recommendations directed at relevant stakeholders, urging regulatory bodies to enforce a comprehensive prohibition on the importation of internationally banned pesticides and adopt international guidelines on pesticide management.
The report also advocated for a phased-out approach to Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs), stress on stringent enforcement against unregistered sales, and promotion of safer alternatives such as organic/biopesticides and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approaches.
The unveiling of the pesticide dossier has been emphasized as a crucial step towards raising awareness and fostering positive change in Nigeria’s agricultural landscape.
The Alliance urges collective efforts to ensure the safety of the environment, public health, and sustainable agricultural practices, calling for transparency, regulatory reforms, and support for building a safer and healthier agricultural future.