NATIONAL AGENCY FOR FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION AND CONTROL

SAFE AND EFFECTIVE USE OF HERBICIDES

A Presentation at

A PROJECT ON SUSTAINABLE WEED MANAGEMENT TECHNOLOGIES FOR CASSAVA SYSTEM IN NIGERIA

BY

Dr I.A. MudashirCRO (Veterinary Medicine and Allied Product Directorate)

Email: vmap@nafdac.gov.ng

OUTLINE

INTRODUCTIONNAFDAC MANDATEDEFINITIONSTYPES OF PESTICIDESCLASSIFICATION OF HERBICIDEREGULATORY CONTROL OF PESTICIDESUSING HERBICIDE PRODUCTCONCLUSION

INTRODUCTION

Pesticides play an important role in the struggle to increase food production, protect harvested food and to control vectors of diseases.

Pesticides can cause harm to human, animal and also the environment. The use of pesticides can be expected to result in residues in or on food and feed. Consequently, health concerns have shifted focus on the immediate and poisonous effects to uncertainties from chronic exposure to low levels of pesticides in diets.

INTRODUCTION

Many cases of accidents and death due to improper use of pesticides have occurred in Nigeria. In many countries, there are restrictions on the levels of there toxic chemicals in staple food products.

The regulatory system is designed to ensure that the remaining residues do not constitute unacceptable health risks to consumers.

NAFDAC’S MANDATE

NAFDAC was established under Decree 15 of 1993, as amended in Decree 19 of 1999, (now NAFDAC Act CAP NI LFN 2004) which empowers NAFDAC to regulate and control the importation, exportation, manufacture, advertisement, distribution, sale and use of food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, bottled water and chemicals.

DEFINITIONS

The NAFDAC Pesticide Registration Regulation (2005) defines a pest and pesticide as follows:-

Pest means any insect, rodent, nematode, fungus, weed or any other form of plant or virus or bacteria or other microorganism.

Pesticide as any chemical substance or mixture of substance intended for preventing, destroying, repelling, mitigating the effect of any pest of plants and animals.

While a weed is a plant considered undesirable, unattractive, or troublesome. It normally grows in places where it is not wanted

TYPES OF PESTICIDES

Pesticides can be classified by the type of pest against which they are directed e.g., Herbicides, Insecticides, Fungicides, Rodenticides, Molluscicide, Nematides, Repellants, Attractants, Insect growth regulators used in agriculture, public health, horticulture and food stoarage.

They can also be grouped into chemical families which include organochlorines, organophosphates, and carbamates.

Herbicides are chemical substances or mixtures of substances intended for killing unwanted plants. They are also commonly known as weedkillers.

Classification of Herbicide

A herbicide can be classified as follows:

• Pre- emergent (residual): These herbicides are designed to inhibit the germination of pest plants, They are therefore applied before the pest plants germinates and are often residual in the soil for long periods.

• Knockdown (non-selective): These herbicides are designed to be applied directly to the target pest plant.

• Selective: These herbicides kill specific targets, while leaving the desired crop relatively unharmed.

Regulatory Control of Pesticides

The essence of pesticide control is safety, which is hinged on the presentation of unnecessary exposure to pesticides.

In NAFDAC, regulatory and control measures that ensures that all regulated products (Herbicides inclusive) in the open market are safe and efficacious are as follows: Product Registration: The registration requirement entails the submission of appropriate form along with relevant documents e.g power of attorney, free sale certificate, certificate of analysis e.t.c

Regulatory Control of Pesticides contd.

The product registration Dossier would be expected to provide information on: - The product composition, normal concentration, physical and chemical characteristics. - Standard analytical methods for each active ingredient, impurities or inert ingredient that is toxicologically significant. - Studies conducted in respect of Environmental fate, degradation, metabolism in plants and animal, accumulation, hazards to humans and domestic animals, toxicity whether by oral, dermal and / or inhalation

Regulatory Control of Pesticides contd.

Product packaging material and label.

Product Labeling: The label on a pesticide container or package provides instruction for use of the herbicide. It also will include the product brand name, active ingredient, date markings, name and address of manufacturer, precautionary measures, warning, storage conditions, disposal e.t.c

Laboratory analysis for qualitative and quantitative analysis.

Pesticide Residue Laboratory to detect the presence of pesticide in food raw material and finished food.

Regulatory Control of Pesticides contd.

Conduct inspection of manufacturing facility to ensure that production is inline with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) for both indigenous and oversea company.

Collaborate with Research Institute to conduct field trial evaluation to ascertain the safety and efficacy of herbicides.

Food and Drug Regulatory Committee (FDRC) meeting every month to scrutinize products before product is issued NAFDAC Registration number.

Activities of Port Inspectorate which inspects all regulated products.

Regulatory Control of Pesticides contd.

Evaluate field trial / efficacy trial report submitted.

Routine Laboratory screening of every consignment of an already registered product imported into the country.

Conduct routine Post Marketing Surveillance (PMS). This would include effective surveillance and continuous monitoring of all regulated products.

Public enlightenment awareness campaign on safe handling and appropriate use of pesticide.

Enforcement activities.

Using Herbicide Products

Everyone with the intent of using any regulated product (herbicide inclusive) has the responsibility to ensure that they use them correctly as specified by the manufacturer on the label and ensure the following:-

• Buy only registered herbicides• Examine pack carefully, make sure product is sealed and labels are intact• Put into consideration Safe transport and storage conditions• Safe mixing and application according to manufacturers specifications.• Appropriate safety gears should be worn at all times when handling herbicides.

Conclusion

The activities of the Agency are geared towards promoting and protecting animal and human health by ensuring that safety and quality of all regulated products are available for use and also to assist in minimizing detrimental effects to the environment.

The Agency will continue to explore other avenues on improvingthis efforts which can be enhanced through improved collaboration with other stakeholders

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