The Alliance for Action on Pesticide in Nigeria (AAPN) has called on the National Assembly to come up with a bill on pesticides control in Nigeria.
AAPN made the call during a press briefing on the outcome of its workshop on pesticides and human rights and dossier on registered and unregistered pesticides in the Nigerian market on Thursday in Abuja.
Addressing newsmen during the event, Professor Simon Irtwange, said the bill, which would incorporate the rights of Nigerians when passed into law, would boost the health health of citizens.
“We must have to incorporate human rights in the new pesticide regulations, the public and the civil society organisations should continue to advocate for urgent development and implementation of national pesticide legislation and policy to regulate the use and implementation of hazardous pesticides considering human rights and environmental impact.
“Support the Alliance for Action on Pesticide in
Nigeria (AAPN) as they work with consumer protection agencies, government food, and
environmental regulatory agencies to come up with a new Pesticide Control Bill 2023.
“The bill will
primarily aims to protect the health of Nigerians, protect their biodiversity and prevent foreign
influence in our food sector.
” The bill will be drawn from international best practices – ensuring the
safety of life, application of precaution, and openness in the pesticide approval process, ensuring
informed consumer choices via full disclosure, and promoting integrated pest management (IPM)
approach and safer farm practices, etc….
“The law should stop importation of banned pesticides.
We are advocating for Nigerian Pesticide Control Act or Bill by Nigerians and for Nigerians,” he said.
Earlier, the Deputy Director, ERA/FoE, Mariann Bassey-Orovwuje, said the association which has over eight civil society organisations, farmers, researchers, academia, among others, as members, is aimed at increasing public awareness on pesticides issue to ensure informed choices and usage.
“The alliance also seeks to improve pesticide regulations in Nigeria, protect human and environment health.
” It is also organised by HOMEF (Health of Mother Earth Foundation) -, Ecological think thank and advocacy group providing environmental and climate justice in Nigeria and Africa,” she said.
