By Adama Makasuba
The National Environmental Agency (NEA) has banned the use of a popular pesticide branded sniper meant for the killing of pesticides and insecticides.
The ban comes after Food Safety and Quality Authority’s laboratory tests confirmed the use of the killer pesticide in smoked fish meant for consumption in the country.
Dawda Badjie, executive director of the National Environmental Agency told reporters at a press conference that the authorities have concluded to ban the importation, warehousing, stockpiling, distribution, sales, and use of the product in the country.
“In considering the public health and environmental concerns associated with the use of this product in the country, the Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides Control and Management Board, acting in accordance with Section 8 (3) of the Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides Control and Management Act Cap 60: vol 9 Laws of The Gambia 2009, hereby informs the general public that SNIPER insecticide and any other dichlorvos containing products are completely banned in The Gambia with immediate effect,” he said.
“This decision affects importation, warehousing, stockpiling, distribution, sales, and use of the product in The Gambia. Consequently, all businesses and individuals are hereby warned to cease importation, distribution, sale, and use of the product with immediate effect. The general public is warned that all activities stipulated herein and any activities otherwise would be a breach of the law and therefore shall face the undesirable consequences that come with it,” he added.
According to him, sniper insecticides have been a public concern since 2019 in the country, adding NEA’s Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides Control and Management Board has placed a moratorium on the importation, distribution, and sales of the sniper.
“The active ingredient in sniper product is Dichlorvos, an organophosphate compound, which is a banned product in most of the world due to adverse effects they posed to human health and non-target species in the environment,” he said.
