Disturbing reports have emerged indicating that banned chemicals, predominantly used to grow crops or treat farm animals that end up on our plates, enter Kenya unhindered from the European Union.
Farming is the mainstay of our economy, and it follows that, in Africa, we import large quantities of farm chemicals, a substantial portion of which should not be allowed on our farms.
The flagged chemicals have either been banned in the EU or put on a restricted list.
Some of the chemicals have been linked to possible cases of cancer because they have been proven to be carcinogenic and pose a serious health risk to millions of farmers and the people who will consume the produce.
The Social Health Authority has been under pressure to increase the cash for cancer treatment to Sh800,000 per year, yet the government has slept on the job and allowed dangerous European chemicals to enter the market and impact the food chain.
Public health must never be compromised and chemicals or products that have been banned or suspended, pending verification, should not be allowed into our market.
The Pest Control Products Board must play its role robustly and proactively to protect lives and make the food chain safe.
Our safety must come first.
Quote of the day: “We are all woven together in the great web of humanity, and whatever we can do to benefit and uplift others will reflect in blessing upon ourselves.” —American religious leader and co-founder of the Seventh-day Adventist Church Ellen G White was born on November 26, 1827
