Stop importing adulterated pesticides

It is frustrating to learn from a Daily Star report that the government is yet to enforce mandatory tests to prevent imports of adulterated pesticides that have been widely used in the country's agriculture sector. As harmful heavy metals like cadmium, chromium and lead were found in dozens of pesticides in tests done by Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA) at the beginning of this year, it mandated tests at two designated government laboratories—either the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Centre (BAEC) or the Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR)—before the release of any imported pesticides from ports. Unfortunately, almost a year has gone by with no progress made in testing these imported pesticides.

Reportedly, the importers requested the BFSA to suspend the embargo on harmful pesticides considering the adverse effect on agricultural production and also requested for further research before taking any decision. Bangladesh Crop Protection Association (BCPA), a body of business enterprises involved in import, formulation and marketing of plant protection chemicals, also requested the ministry to allow continuing imports until a guideline is adopted on the permissible limit for heavy metals in pesticides. Although the BFSA has extended the deadline twice for mandatory testing of imported pesticides at their request, no progress was made so far in formulating the guideline on the permissible limit for heavy metals in pesticides. In the last few months, the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), the apex pesticide regulatory body, has only formed a committee which is yet to submit its report.   We request the committee to do the necessary research and submit its report as early as possible. And the government should adopt a guideline on the permissible limit of heavy metals in pesticides as soon as they submit the report. No heavy metals beyond the permissible limit should be present in pesticides as they contaminate the entire food chain, and long-term exposure to these elements may lead to serious public health hazards.