Some banned agricultural pesticides by the EU are being Ccnsumed by Africans
As the world continues to search for solutions to protect human life and the environment, there’s an international trade paradox: pesticides banned by the European Union (EU) due to their harmful effects on health and the environment continue to be exported to Africa, where they are widely used in agriculture.
This situation has been described as a form of “chemical colonialism,” where wealthy countries use poorer nations as dumping grounds for scientifically proven toxic substances.
A 2020 report by Public Eye revealed that European companies exported at least 81,000 tons of pesticides banned within their own borders to poorer countries, especially in Africa.
These chemicals include atrazine, paraquat, chlorpyrifos, acephate, and imidacloprid—all linked to serious health problems such as cancer, developmental issues in children, harm to pollinators like bees, and soil degradation.
Public Eye confirmed that although these pesticides are illegal in the EU, they have a large market in Africa, where health and environmental protection standards are not strictly enforced.
Nyiraneza Melanie, a farmer, explained that while they are often educated about the dangers of such chemicals, they continue to use them because they are widely available and their farms have become dependent on them for high yields.
She said:“We’re frequently told these chemicals are poison, but when pests strike and we have no other choice, we use what is sold in the market. We ask that efforts be made to find safe alternatives because fighting hunger by eating poison is not a solution.”
Research shows that these pesticides can cause death, starting from the farmer applying them to the consumer eating the produce. They also harm vital biodiversity such as bees, butterflies, birds, and beneficial decomposers in the soil.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that over 3 million people suffer pesticide-related illnesses annually, with around 220,000 deaths. Paraquat, for instance, is linked to cancer, respiratory issues, and brain damage in children.
In 2021, the FAO reported that bee populations are declining by 30–40% annually due to pesticides like imidacloprid and neonicotinoids, which has severe effects on crop pollination. Soil organisms like earthworms and microbes are also killed, reducing soil fertility.
A 2020 study by the IUCN found that chlorpyrifos affects the brains of birds and beneficial insects.
Pollinators are essential for fruit and vegetable production. Rwanda’s Ministry of Agriculture (MINAGRI) has noted that yields for crops like watermelon, cabbage, and papaya can drop by up to 30% if pollinator populations fall.
Paraquat also damages soil nutrients, reducing productivity, as explained in a 2022 UNEP study.
Public Eye (2020) highlighted the export of 81,000 tons of banned pesticides from the EU to Africa. In 2023, the Heinrich Böll Foundation reported that Nigeria imported 147,446 tons of pesticides, including those banned in the EU, for use on cash crops like cotton, vegetables, and fruits.
In 2018, 1,700 tons of banned pesticides were used in South Africa, including 67 substances harmful to life and soil biodiversity, according to a 2022 Solidar report.
In East Africa, Kenya leads in using such pesticides, with 44% of chemicals used in its farms banned by the EU. A 2020 study by the Route to Food Campaign showed a 41% decline in pollinators over a decade in areas where chlorpyrifos and glyphosate were commonly used.
Jean Bosco Hakuzuwera, a farmer from Burera District, says they are sold cheap, unregulated chemicals by traders:
“We didn’t know these were destroying our soil, killing birds and insects that protect our crops.”
Dr. Charles Bucagu, head of Research and Development at RAB, said that awareness campaigns are needed so farmers can distinguish between approved and unapproved pesticides. He made these remarks at a journalists’ workshop on August 29, 2023, organized by RCCDN, RAE, and IPEN, discussing the use of Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs) and their impact on health and the environment.
He emphasized the need for stricter enforcement and public education to prevent illegal pesticide imports and encourage eco-friendly farming practices.
Rwanda has laws regulating pesticide and fertilizer imports:
Ministerial Order No. 002/11.30 of 14/07/2016 governs the management of pesticides and synthetic fertilizers.
Access it here https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.rica.gov.rw/index.php%3FeID%3DdumpFile%26t%3Df%26f%3D26824%26token%3D29b2fec79831676b8b68983b5c08c58163816e43&ved=2ahUKEwjEyZS0y5aNAxVbQ6QEHdg6I04QFnoECBgQAQ&usg=AOvVaw32OdZifnbjzJr
Loophole in International Law
The EU bans the use of these pesticides domestically but, under the Rotterdam Convention, still allows their export if requested by the receiving country. This opens the door for ongoing shipments to countries with weak regulatory frameworks, according to Public Eye (2020).
Proposed Solutions
Training farmers, journalists, public and private institutions on sustainable agriculture.
Enacting stricter laws to ban imports and use of pesticides banned elsewhere.
Promoting agroecology, using beneficial insects, traditional pest control, and organic fertilizers.
Educating farmers about the dangers of hazardous chemicals and offering affordable alternatives.
Supporting research on non-toxic agricultural tools and methods.
In Nairobi, Kenya, from May 1–2, a workshop organized in partnership with AFSA brought together journalists from EAC countries, organic farming businesses, and stakeholders to discuss the dangers of pesticide use and how to transition to sustainable agriculture that protects people, biodiversity, and bees.
The death of bees and soil-dwelling organisms has a direct and potentially deadly impact on human life.