SON Raises Alarm Over Fake Pesticides In Markets

   The Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) yesterday alerted stakeholders on the manufacturing of adulterated pesticides presenting circulating major markets in Nigeria, capable of threatening human life.

   The Director General/Chief Executive, Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) Mr. Anthony Aboloma who raised the alarm yesterday at a sensitization program for stakeholders in Kano, said the Federal government has directed SON and departments of agriculture in the country, to get rid of the criminal gangsters involved in the manufacture, sales, and distribution of unwholesome pesticides in Nigeria.

   Speaking on a paper titled “TO A QUALITY AWARENESS PROGRAMME ON THE DANGER OF USING SUBSTANDARD ADULTERATED PESTICIDE ON FARMS” Aboloma disclosed that, regulatory approach would be strengthened to address what he described as trade malpractice in the country.

   Aboloma said “current worldwide trend shows an increase in the sale of pesticides products that are substandard contents or do not contain active ingredients, falsified with false country of origin, or re-labeled expired stock, illegal, illicit or counterfeit copies of legitimate brands.

   “Investigations by Standard Organization of Nigeria, SON, confirm that Nigeria is not immune from the above global trend, illicit pesticides are found all over the place and innocent farmers buy them because they are cheap.”

   Represented by the director Operations, Mr. Felix Nyodo, the director general said the circulation of pesticides that contains contaminated products is a global trend, saying that, falsified pesticide products are been sold to unsuspecting farmers by criminal gangs with a wide distribution networks across the globe.

   He cautioned that, the illicit products, which are sold at cheap prices, constitute a severe threat to the environment, the farmers and culminate into decrease in the yields of farm produce.

   Aboloma note that, the Federal Government in reaffirming its commitment to the boosting of agricultural production have mandated SON to continue to ensure that manufacturers and importers of pesticides products do not refrain from complying with laid down requirements and standards.