Browsing by Author "Ashaolu, Christine Abey"
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- Strategies for effective regulation and control of pesticides towards improved environmental safety and sustainability in NigeriaPublication . Ashaolu, Christine Abey; Cavaco, Isabel; Sainz, DanielEver since plant was first cultivated for food, there has been the need to protect it against diseases and pests and the intervention of chemicals after the world War II to combat pests and disease-causing organisms have greatly increased the global use of pesticides. Pesticides are beneficial to man and his environment but can also pose adverse effects if not effectively regulated and controlled, hence, regulations are developed to ensure safety of pesticides throughout its life cycle. It is however evident that, irrational and indiscriminate distribution and use of Plant Protection Products in Nigeria has resulted into high residue levels in food leading to contamination and pollution of the environmental matrices. The EU ban in 2015 on the importation of beans from Nigeria due to the detection of high levels of pesticide residues and use of unauthorized pesticides are also reflections of the indiscriminate use and ineffective control and regulations of Plant Protection Products in Nigeria. From the Pesticide residue analysis conducted in this study, the concentration of the organochlorines ranged from ND-0.88mg/kg, organophosphates ND-5.25mg/kg and pyrethroids ND-4.55mg/kg. Over 50% of the total samples analyzed showed residue levels above the EU Maximum Residue Limit (MRL). The National Pesticide Trade data revealed larger quantities of herbicide imports compared to other classes of imported pesticides. The current Nigeria pesticide regulations was found not to include some safety indicators as compared to those of EU and USA regulations on placing Plant Protection Products on the market. Recommendations for safety control and regulation systems for placing plant production products on the market in Nigeria have been articulated.