Methyl Bromide Remains Banned – NAFDAC

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has said the use of Methyl Bromide as fumigant in Nigeria remains banned.

This is sequel to the new requirement of the government of some countries such as Mexico and India, that methyl bromide must be used as fumigant on the agricultural produce being exported to their countries.

The food regulators in a statement signed by Director General, Prof Moji Adeyeye, said the use of methyl bromide was banned by the Montreal Protocol 1987 due to its effect on ozone layer depletion property, adding that the substance has continued to receive critical uses exemption from other countries since 1987.

According to the agency, “studies in human indicate that the lung may be severely injured by the acute (short-term) inhalation of methyl bromide.

“Acute and chronic (long-term) inhalation of methyl bromide can lead to neurological effect in humans.

“In Nigeria, NAFDAC database shows that methyl bromide has not been registered nor issued on permit for importation and use since the ban. The ban was implemented by NAFDAC because Nigeria is a signatory to the protocol,” it said.

The agency in the statement restated that “The use of Methyl Bromide as fumigant is banned and remains banned in Nigeria.”

Following this, NAFDAC advised farmers, agro-input dealers and exporter of Agricultural produce to use alternative pesticides which are safer, cheaper and more effective.

Methyl bromide is a colourless, odourless gas used to fumigate pests.

NAFDAC in taking measures to address the worrisome trend of suicides, recently banned the use of Paraquat and Atrazine products by farmers, as well as Sniper.