The Pest Control and Produce Board (PCPB) has intensified the crackdown on illicit trade on banned pesticides in Busia County where an unlicensed dealer was arrested during the operations.
The operations meant to clean up the streets of the bogus pesticide dealers was to entrench the safety measures for consumers to ensure that the products sold were free from toxic chemicals and substances and met the set guidelines by PCPB.
Addressing the media after a successful operation in Malaba, where one suspect was arrested, PCPB’s Western Region Coordinator William Mukonzo called for the public to only buy agricultural inputs from registered agro-vets and chemists for their safety.
“We wish to advise you for purposes of safety to only buy pesticides and drugs where they are sold by registered agro-vets and chemists. Such uncontrolled products are a danger to the health and environment of the people and the crops,” said William Mukonzo.
This development comes after a group of unlicensed hawkers from Uganda recently penetrated the market with banned and toxic products that have not been approved by the Pest Control and Produce Board (PCPB).
“Unapproved pesticides are mostly not inscribed with instructions on how to use them and therefore increases abuse which in turn causes irreparable damage to users, crops and the environment,” Mukonzo pointed out.
The Pest Control and Produce Board (PCPB) plays an important role in regulating the sale and importation of pesticides into Kenya by ensuring that all products are certified and safe to use.
It undertakes monitoring and enforcement activities to curb the trade of prohibited pesticides, and collaborates with customs and law enforcement to mitigate the international trade of banned substances.
In this regard, Mukonzo called for multi-agency coordination, particularly with the security agencies so as to strengthen the efforts of preventing entry of unapproved pesticides into Kenya.
He cited the border points such as Malaba as important gateways for imported counterfeit and harmful products.
“Considering the rising volumes of counterfeit and harmful pesticide imports, it is imperative that security personnel as well as customs officials be on high alert most especially at sensitive border points like Malaba, which are key entry points for uncontrolled pesticides.
By working as one, the security arms of the country can prevent these pesticides from entering the country and endangering the people and the agricultural industry,” emphasized Mukonzo.
This effort emphasizes the government’s resolve to uphold and safeguard Kenyans against harmful unregulated products through the use of safe approved inputs in Kenya’s farming activities and ensuring sustainable agriculture and food security.
By Owen Mutai