LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The country’s Consumer Association of Malawi(CAMA) has appealed to Malawi Parliament to immediately reviews on Pesticide law for serious enforcement against uncertified traders arguing that are putting Malawians lives in danger.
In a press statement issued on Wednesday, June 26, 2024 and signed by CAMA Executive Director John Kapito stated that “There is need for Parliamentary Committee to visit any market of their choice and witness how pesticides have ended up in the hands of unscrupulous putting Consumers at risk”.
He explained that CAMA conducted Pesticide market inspections on the proliferation of Pesticides sold by unlicensed traders and from unregistered premises.
He added, “Pesticides are a specialized trade with a specialized Regulatory Authority and it is very shocking that currently Government is failing to manage the proliferation of these dangerous chemicals that are silently killing a lot of innocent Consumers and traders because of the failure to enforce the law”
“The law on pesticides control is very clear as to who is supposed to sale, store, distribute and import pesticides,
Section 23-(1) stipulates that no person shall manufacture, export, distribute, store for sale, or sell a pesticide without a licence issued by Pesticide Control Board and in accordance with any conditions prescribed by the Board,” said Kapito.
He further said Section 25–1(c) stipulates that the premises and conditions which the pesticide will be stored or offered for sale are appropriate for the intended purpose, and will not endanger human, or animal health or the environment.
“It is disturbing that despite such an enabling law and an Enforcement Agency the Pesticide Control Board (PCB) has failed to enforce the law as prescribed. These pesticides are sold openly under the nose and watchful eye of the Pesticides Control Board (PCB) by unlicensed traders posing serious health danger to Consumers,” Kapito narrates.
He also said, “There was a good reason why Parliament enacted the Pesticide Control Act (CAP. 35:03) and its regulations including the establishment of a Regulatory Authority and it is disappointing that Pesticides are now illegally sold and distributed by unlicensed traders more than before the Pesticide Act was enacted”.
He therefore said “Pesticide Trade is big business and CAMA suspects corruption is rampant within the enforcement agencies hence the failure to control the current proliferation of these dangerous chemicals on the market that are now in the hands of unscrupulous traders”.
