Re: Ensuring safety of agro-chemicals

I agree with the editorial in the Monday,  August 10th,  2015 edition of your paper captioned as above, that “Government should enforce existing laws” regulating harmful agro-chemicals in Nigeria”, among other pro-active steps which can be taken to check this menace. Among such laws, in my view, is the National Agency for Food and Drug […]

I agree with the editorial in the Monday,  August 10th,  2015 edition of your paper captioned as above, that “Government should enforce existing laws” regulating harmful agro-chemicals in Nigeria”, among other pro-active steps which can be taken to check this menace.
Among such laws, in my view, is the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration & Control Act of 1992. Under  Section 5(i) & (s) of this law, NAFDAC, and not NESREA , is the appropriate authority charged with the responsibility of pronouncing on the quality and safety of chemicals drugs,  along with other similar products .  The Agency is also authorised to determine the suitability or otherwise of such chemicals or drugs for human and animal use.
Accordingly, by law, NAFDAC , and not NESREA,  bears the primary responsibility for reining-in the menace of hazardous agrochemicals,  while the latter can at best play a supportive role.
Barrister Abubakar Sani, Kano<[email protected]>