Ban on Export of Nigerian Beans Worries Dozie Nwankwo

Hon. Dozie Nwankwo, who represents Anaocha, Dunukofia and Njikoka Constituency in the House of Representatives has moved a notion in the House calling attention to the one year ban on importation of dried beans from Nigeria into European countries. The ban was imposed in June 2015, on the grounds that the produce contained high level pesticide considered injurious to human health. He disclosed that the ban was to last till 30th June, 2016, to allow Nigerian authorities time to provide an export control plan and assurance that the beans exported to European countries comply with the EU minimal Risk levels for hazardous substances. He further observed that several relevant agencies of Government including Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON), NAFDAC and Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment claimed to be collaborating to resolve the issue before the deadline, yet the issue remained unresolved. Nwankwo frowned at the inability of the concerned authorities to address the issue which had led to the extension of the ban on dried beans export from Nigeria for another three years, for the reason that Nigeria did not do enough to lift the ban during the period of suspension. He was further worried about how safe the dried beans and other foodstuffs consumed within the country are for human consumption.

After debating the notion, the House mandated the Committee on Agriculture, Commence and Industry to investigate the matter and report back to the House within two weeks.