By ebosele@hotmail.com –
The Federal Government (FG) through Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) has engaged fruit and vegetable importers and other stakeholders in the South-West Zone to strengthen collaboration on the safe and compliant importation of agricultural produce into Nigeria.
The Comptroller General of NAQS, Dr Vincent Isegbe, held the interactive meeting with stakeholders at the Service’s South-West Zonal Command amid growing concerns over food safety, quality assurance and compliance with sanitary and phytosanitary requirements for imported fruits and vegetables.
Isegbe stressed the need for strict adherence to Nigeria’s import and quarantine requirements, proper documentation, traceability and effective pest-risk management.
He said compliance with the regulatory measures was essential to safeguarding consumers and protecting Nigeria’s agricultural economy from the introduction and spread of harmful pests and diseases.
The Comptroller General assured stakeholders that NAQS remained committed to facilitating legitimate agricultural trade, but stressed that the safety and quality of commodities entering the country could not be compromised.
He urged importers and other operators across the value chain to work closely with the Service and ensure that all imported fruits and vegetables meet applicable phytosanitary and regulatory requirements.
The meeting also provided stakeholders an opportunity to highlight challenges affecting their operations and engage directly with NAQS on measures to improve compliance, food safety and the efficiency of import processes.
The engagement, according to the Service, underscores its commitment to protecting Nigeria’s agriculture, promoting food safety and quality assurance, facilitating compliant trade and strengthening collaboration with stakeholders across the fruit and vegetable value chain.
