Kagwe orders 77 pesticides off market, puts 202 more on hold
Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe.
Farmers across the country will be forced to search widely for alternatives following a directive by Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe to ban 77 types of pesticides from the market while also putting restrictions on the trade of 202 more citing harmful effects.
CS Kagwe said the Pest Control Products Board (PCPB) has flagged the affected pesticides citing that they contain harmful levels of active ingredients, posing a risk to both consumers and farmers across the value chain.
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Additionally, a total of 151 products on crops are currently under reviewed by the PCPB in a process that is scheduled to conclude by December.
“Following scientific assessment and stakeholder consultations we have identified certain active ingredients and associated end-use products that pose unacceptable risks to human health, crops, livestock and the environment” said CS Kagwe.
He says that the move follows completion of a comprehensive review of pesticide active ingredients which are registered in the country by PCPB. The review was conducted on 430 end use products currently being used by farmers across the country.
“In the meantime, the use or importation of the 151 products remain prohibited until the end of the review,” the CS added.
Kagwe has also directed importers of pest control products to ensure the products are registered in their country of origin and has prohibited registration of products banned in the international market under multilateral environmental agreements.
The CS said the importation of pesticide molecules not approved in jurisdictions will also be restricted during their review period. “Importation of any molecular under review that is not approved in the European Union, the United States of America, Australia and Canada shall be prohibited until finalization and review,” added Kagwe.
The action is part of the government’s efforts to align Kenya’s agricultural practices with international best standards, ensure food safety for all Kenyans, and promote sustainable agriculture by ensuring that pest control products used in Kenya meet the highest safety standards.
“We urge all farmers, distributors, and stakeholders to comply fully with these new regulations and to adopt safe, effective, and environmentally friendly pest management alternatives,” he said.
