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| Michel Arrion |
The European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and West
Africa, HE Michel Arrion, has dispelled rumours of the ban of the
exportation of all fresh agricultural products from Nigeria to European
markets. He stated categorically that only dry beans was banned, and
this was done to protect the health of European consumers.
Speaking in an interview conducted on the sidelines of the 4th EU-Nigeria Business Forum, held at Eko Hotel, Lagos between the 5th and 6th of November, 2015, Arrion rejected accusations of European protectionism, stating that Europe does not even produce dry beans.
“This is a matter of the protection of the health of consumers. We had to take this unfortunate decision because of at least 60 rejections of Nigerian dry beans at European ports”, Mr. Arrion said. He blamed the situation on the high content of banned and harmful pesticides in dry beans. These pesticides, according to him, are usually added by post-harvest warehousing traders to such products, to treat and preserve such maximally till export. However, the pesticides could result in serious medical conditions, some of which may not manifest until 20 years after ingestion.
“We hope Nigeria will ensure the stakeholders are using the appropriate products to fight insect infestation”, he said. Arrion added that “it is also a matter for Nigeria and West Africa, as such banned dry beans rejected at European markets will eventually find their way into the local Nigerian market, and neighboring countries like Niger and Cameroun”, thereby putting the populations of such countries at risk too.
On suggested solutions to the index trade problem, the EU Ambassador noted that the EU has maintained a good rapport with the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) for over two years. The challenge, however, according to him, is that the EU is not capable of forcing the Nigerian agency to do its job; banning the harmful insecticides in this case. The EU is however helping the SON and other relevant agencies reform their processes in consonance with international norms, not exclusive EU norms.
“We are confident that, within one year, Nigeria should be able to change the regulation to better monitor the use of the banned pesticides”, he assured, giving hope of an eventual lift of the ban in a not-too-distant time.
Speaking in an interview conducted on the sidelines of the 4th EU-Nigeria Business Forum, held at Eko Hotel, Lagos between the 5th and 6th of November, 2015, Arrion rejected accusations of European protectionism, stating that Europe does not even produce dry beans.
“This is a matter of the protection of the health of consumers. We had to take this unfortunate decision because of at least 60 rejections of Nigerian dry beans at European ports”, Mr. Arrion said. He blamed the situation on the high content of banned and harmful pesticides in dry beans. These pesticides, according to him, are usually added by post-harvest warehousing traders to such products, to treat and preserve such maximally till export. However, the pesticides could result in serious medical conditions, some of which may not manifest until 20 years after ingestion.
“We hope Nigeria will ensure the stakeholders are using the appropriate products to fight insect infestation”, he said. Arrion added that “it is also a matter for Nigeria and West Africa, as such banned dry beans rejected at European markets will eventually find their way into the local Nigerian market, and neighboring countries like Niger and Cameroun”, thereby putting the populations of such countries at risk too.
On suggested solutions to the index trade problem, the EU Ambassador noted that the EU has maintained a good rapport with the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) for over two years. The challenge, however, according to him, is that the EU is not capable of forcing the Nigerian agency to do its job; banning the harmful insecticides in this case. The EU is however helping the SON and other relevant agencies reform their processes in consonance with international norms, not exclusive EU norms.
“We are confident that, within one year, Nigeria should be able to change the regulation to better monitor the use of the banned pesticides”, he assured, giving hope of an eventual lift of the ban in a not-too-distant time.
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