Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service is a regulatory agency under the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. It was created for the harmonization of Plants, Veterinary and Aquatic resources (fisheries) Quarantine in Nigeria to promote and regulate sanitary (animal and fisheries health) and phytosanitary(plant health) measures in connection with the import and export of agricultural products with a view to minimizing the risk to agricultural economy, food safety and the environment.
The main objective of NAQS is to prevent the introduction, establishment and spread of animal and zoonotic diseases as well as pests of plants and fisheries including their products. NAQS also undertakes emergency protocol to control or manage new pest incursion or disease outbreak in collaboration with key stakeholders.
NAQS ensures that our agricultural exports meet with international standards in line with International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) Office International des Epizootics (OIE) representing the World Organization for Animal Health, WTO/Sanitary and International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES) and SPS conditions of the importing countries. Its operations are guided by the enabling legislation enacted by the National Assembly and SPS regulations and schedules.
The following are tips for exporters of agricultural products from Nigeria, to meet the phytosanitary(plant health) requirements of the agency.
TIPS FOR EXPORTERS OF AGO-PRODUCE
1. Find out the standard of the importing Country:
There are international treaties and protocols that regulate standards that Nigeria is obligated to comply with. Besides these universal standards, some countries and regions also have their own standards based on their individual peculiarities. The EU, US, Asia, and South America all have their respective standards. So, find out the requirements of the country you wish to export to.
There are international treaties and protocols that regulate standards that Nigeria is obligated to comply with. Besides these universal standards, some countries and regions also have their own standards based on their individual peculiarities. The EU, US, Asia, and South America all have their respective standards. So, find out the requirements of the country you wish to export to.
2. Do Proper Documentation:
Here at home, you need to put together documents containing every information about your product. Details like products description, quantity, packing, compartmentalizations, etc would be needful.
Here at home, you need to put together documents containing every information about your product. Details like products description, quantity, packing, compartmentalizations, etc would be needful.
3. Get laboratory certification:
Then, you need to get your products and production process certified. The laboratory certification specifying contents such as pesticides, microbes, mycotoxins, etc, would be a necessity. Here, the physical attributes like shape, color, moisture, dust and particles content, will also be established.
Then, you need to get your products and production process certified. The laboratory certification specifying contents such as pesticides, microbes, mycotoxins, etc, would be a necessity. Here, the physical attributes like shape, color, moisture, dust and particles content, will also be established.
4. Traceability:
You also have a responsibility to ensure that sources of your products are traceable. Regulators are interested in knowing that products are sourced from registered farm; that the history of the seedlings/cuttings and their production are well established and that they are of proper nutritional quality. In addition, proper labelling specifying details like shelf life, storage temperature, volume, botanical name (where applicable) is critical.
You also have a responsibility to ensure that sources of your products are traceable. Regulators are interested in knowing that products are sourced from registered farm; that the history of the seedlings/cuttings and their production are well established and that they are of proper nutritional quality. In addition, proper labelling specifying details like shelf life, storage temperature, volume, botanical name (where applicable) is critical.
5. Notification of Intent to Export:
Notify regulatory authorities at home and your off-takers abroad of your intended export. This is where you are given final checks as to what documentations pertain to your particular product, with respect to the county to which you are exporting.
Notify regulatory authorities at home and your off-takers abroad of your intended export. This is where you are given final checks as to what documentations pertain to your particular product, with respect to the county to which you are exporting.