The Federal Government of Nigeria has inaugurated a Technical Working Group on Agricultural Produce Residue Standards to address recurring export rejections of Nigerian agricultural commodities arising from non-compliance with Maximum Residue Limits and other sanitary and phytosanitary requirements.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi said that the initiative was part of efforts to strengthen food safety systems and improve Nigeria’s competitiveness in regional and international agricultural markets.
According to the minister, the inauguration marked “another significant milestone in the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring food safety and strengthening Nigeria’s competitiveness in regional and international agricultural markets.”
The statement issued on Monday in Abuja, Abdullahi said that the establishment of the Technical Working Group aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, which required that Nigerian agricultural products “not only meet production targets but also comply with internationally accepted food safety and quality standards.”
He noted that “over the years, Nigeria has recorded several cases of export rejections of agricultural commodities due to non-compliance with Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) and other sanitary and phytosanitary requirements.”
According to him, the rejections have resulted in economic setbacks for stakeholders in the agricultural value chain.
“These rejections have resulted in economic losses, reduced market confidence, and missed opportunities for farmers, exporters, and agribusinesses,” he stated.
“The growing concerns over pesticide residues, contaminants, and food safety issues demand a coordinated, science-based, and multi-sectoral response. This underscores the necessity for establishing this Technical Working Group,” the minister said.
He explained that the TWG would serve as “a strategic platform for bringing together experts from government institutions, regulatory agencies, academia, research institutions, the private sector, commodity associations, and development partners to address challenges relating to agricultural produce residue standards in Nigeria.”
Addressing members of the committee, the minister said that their appointment reflected their competence and dedication to the development of the sector.
He charged them to develop practical, implementable and sustainable solutions that would strengthen national food control systems, improve compliance with safe pesticide-use practices and support access to premium markets for Nigerian agricultural products.
The minister further urged the members to ensure that their recommendations were evidence-based, inclusive and consistent with global best practices while reflecting local realities.
He said the work of the committee would safeguard public health, improve the quality and safety of Nigerian agricultural produce, increase export earnings and reduce post-harvest losses associated with market restrictions.
GIK/APA