In response to global concerns over food safety and the rising incidence of cancers, pesticides have emerged as a primary focus due to their carcinogenic properties.
Taking proactive steps, the Director General of Morocco’s National Food Safety Office (ONSSA) has issued a directive to regional departments regarding a comprehensive list of banned agricultural pesticides.
The correspondence, obtained by Hespress, identifies numerous products implicated in serious health risks, including cancer. Many of these pesticides have already been phased out worldwide, with ONSSA progressively withdrawing their authorizations from January 2018 through July 2024.
The list encompasses a range of trade names for pesticides used in Moroccan agriculture, now depleted from stocks held by farmers and distributors.
This extended timeline allows ONSSA departments to oversee the elimination of unregistered pesticides, facilitating their replacement with safer alternatives.
Mustapha Aouragh, an agricultural engineer, highlighted Morocco’s adherence to international pesticide standards, emphasizing that rejections of Moroccan exports at Spanish borders are primarily rooted in commercial factors rather than safety concerns.
He stressed the importance for farmers to promptly eliminate banned pesticides to avoid export disruptions, noting ONSSA’s rigorous monitoring and updated authorization protocols based on pesticide characteristics and pre-harvest intervals.
Aouragh further underscored that Moroccan producers are increasingly proactive in communicating with foreign customers about pesticide use, seeking pre-approval during production phases to preempt border scrutiny. This proactive approach helps mitigate potential export issues related to pesticide residues.
Notably, ONSSA has already removed 15 active pesticide substances from the national market between 2018 and 2020, including well-known carcinogens like chlorpyrifos-ethyl and glyphosate-containing preparations.
These actions reflect Morocco’s commitment to sustainable agriculture and responsible pesticide management.
The measures underscore ONSSA’s integrated strategy aimed at promoting the judicious use of pesticides, safeguarding consumer health, and supporting sustainable agricultural practices in Morocco.
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