Emmanuel OchayiThe United States Department for Agriculture (USDA) pointed out that Nigeria’s agricultural produce is facing rejection in the international market, primarily due to a lack of food safety documentation.
This disconcerting issue was highlighted by the Councilor for Agriculture Affairs, USDA, Christopher Bielecki, during the Food and Feed Safety Expertise Coordination workshop organized by the Nigeria Economic Summit Group in partnership with several key entities, including the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Food and Agriculture Export Alliance (FAEA), and the University of Missouri (MU) IN Abuja.
Bielecki, the USDA official, addressed the gathering with concern: “I have spoken to producers, who are challenged with the difficulty of exporting Nigerian agricultural produce to the world, including the U.S.; they have reported a high rate of rejection, and this rejection mostly results from the lack of documentation on food safety.”
He also emphasized that Nigeria isn’t alone in facing this issue, and efforts are being made to ensure that food and agricultural exporters into the United States comply with food safety regulations and laws.
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Bielecki believes that enhancing food safety measures will not only reduce rejections but also stimulate trade, boost Nigeria’s GDP, and increase foreign reserves.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate, revealed that his ministry is taking proactive steps to improve the country’s food safety standards.
He stated, “In a deliberate effort to ensure the country attains National health security status, the ministry is set to validate the revised National Policy on Food Safety and Quality, as well as launch the first National Integrated Guidelines for Foodborne Disease Surveillance and Response.”
Pate stressed the importance of not only food security in terms of availability and affordability but also the necessity of ensuring that the foods consumed are safe, healthy, and nutritious.
He called for collaboration among relevant agencies to support the ministry in their commitment to providing effective policies, regulations, and monitoring systems that ensure continuous improvement in food safety standards and practices.
Dr. Tayo Aduloju, the Chief Executive Officer (designate) of the Nigeria Economic Summit Group, emphasized the paramount importance of upholding the highest food safety standards for the well-being and progress of the country.
Aduloju stressed that Nigeria’s agricultural sector’s growth hinges on effective regulatory, institutional, and policy frameworks that address the gaps in food and feed safety, not only to improve citizens’ well-being but also to boost the country’s position in international trade.
He underscored that, to effectively benefit from the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), reforming food and feed safety systems in Nigeria is inevitable. Collaborative efforts are needed to strengthen regulatory frameworks and enhance the overall quality of food and feed within the country, ensuring a brighter future for Nigeria’s agricultural industry.
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