Coalition Alliance for Action Against Pesticide in Nigeria (AAPN) has said Nigeria loses about $363 million annually due to the EU’s ban on beans exports caused by hazardous pesticide residues.
The group made this disclosure at a news conference in Abuja themed ” _Stop the Spread of Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs)”._
AAPN Co-Founder Prof. Simon Irtwange said over 76% of Nigeria’s agricultural exports are routinely rejected by the EU for safety reasons, mostly due to pesticide residues from chemicals banned internationally but still permitted in Nigeria.
The rejections have affected beans, sesame seeds, melon seeds, dried fish, peanut chips, groundnut, palm oil, and yam in the last decade.
Irtwange said Nigeria uses about 23,400 metric tonnes of pesticides annually.
“Currently, Nigeria registers and allows over 400 pesticide formulations, over 50 per cent of which are considered highly hazardous and banned in the EU, US, and parts of Asia.”
Irtwange highlighted health problems associated with these chemicals, including respiratory issues, skin rashes, and chronic risks like cancers and neurotoxicity.
He urged promotion of safer alternatives like bio-pesticides and agroecological practices.
