NAN-H-37
Laboratory
Lagos, Feb. 16, 2017 (NAN) An Agriculturist, Mr Duro Kuteyi, on Thursday called for establishment of a laboratory dedicated to testing Nigeria’s agricultural exports and ensuring they would meet international standards.
Kuteyi, the Managing Director, Spectra Industry Nigeria Ltd., a beverage manufacturing company, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
He said that establishing the laboratory would make the nation’s agricultural exports acceptable internationally.
The agriculturist said that such a laboratory should be accredited by the European Union (EU) so that a certified product could easily be shipped abroad.
NAN reports that since January 2013, more than 50 rejections have been recorded at the EU border in relation to products originating from Nigeria.
The EU placed a ban on some Nigerian products until June 30, 2016 to enable Nigeria to comply with its Minimum Risk Levels for Hazardous Substances.
However, at the expiration of the ban, the EU extended it to 2019.
Mr Paul Orhii, the Director-General, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), had blamed the situation on exporters.
Orhii said that exporters did not comply with regulatory requirements for semi-processed and processed commodities.
Kuteyi told NAN: “This laboratory will help Nigeria to tackle the complaints of the EU and other countries to which our produce are exported.
“Having our agricultural produce certified beforehand is better than having our produce returned at the point of entry into countries we are taking them to.
“It will help us to analyse the chemicals we have been using wrongly and the chemicals we are using for our produce that prompted the ban.’’
He said that certification of Nigeria’s agricultural exports would make it easy for the produce to enter international markets.
“If nothing is done, our produce will continue to suffer ban from countries that place high premium on their citizens’ health,’’ Kuteyi said.
Mr Adeola Elliot, the Chairman, Agriculture and Agro Allied Group, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), supports establishment of the laboratory.
Elliot said that testing processed agricultural produce would help to ensure that they would meet the requirements of receiving countries.
According to him, the laboratory should give certification for processed agricultural produce before exportation.
“This calls for huge investment in agro processing.
“However, it will boost exports, lead to more foreign exchange earnings and job creation.
“If all the tiers of government invest in agro processing, it will help to sustain efforts to ensure bumper harvest.
“It will also make food available at cheaper rates for local consumption,’’ the LCCI official said.
Elliot said that adding value to agricultural produce before exportation would attract high prices on the international market. (NAN)
ACA/COF/IGO
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(Edited by Oluyinka Fadare/Ijeoma Popoola)