US points to document shortcomings as cause of Nigerian agricultural product rejection

In a recent disclosure at a workshop in Abuja, the United States Department for Agriculture (USDA) linked the rejection of Nigeria’s agricultural goods to insufficient safety documentation.

This revelation came through Christopher Bielecki, the country’s Councilor for Agriculture Affairs, who emphasized the necessity for robust safety documentation to meet international standards.

The workshop, a collaborative effort between the Nigeria Economic Summit Group, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Food and Agricultural Export Alliance (EAA), and the University of Missouri, served as a platform to address this issue.

Bielecki emphasized the imperative need for better safety compliance, stressing efforts to align Nigerian exports with US food safety regulations.

Enhancing these standards, he highlighted, would significantly minimize rejections, augment trade, and contribute to bolstering Nigeria’s GDP and foreign reserves.

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Concurrently, Nigeria’s Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate, announced plans to scrutinize the revised National Policy on Food Safety and Quality. This policy aims to fortify regulatory mechanisms, surveillance, and response protocols for foodborne diseases in Nigeria.

Moreover, collaboration among agencies is sought to bolster effective policies, regulations, and monitoring systems, ensuring elevated food safety standards.

The challenge of inflation was also spotlighted, with the National Bureau of Statistics reporting a surge in food inflation to 29.34% in August 2023, attributed to price hikes in various food categories like oil, cereals, fish, fruits, vegetables, and yams, among others.

These inflationary pressures underscore the urgency to fortify food safety and economic stability within the Nigerian agricultural landscape.