The Pest Control Product Board has issued a notice to withdraw seven products used in crop production from the Kenyan market.
PCPB wants immediate termination of any ongoing registration of the products.
The products include pymetrozine, thiacloprid, diuron, chlorothalonil, propined, chlorpyrifos & chlorpyrifos-methyl and 2,4-dichlorophenyl acetic acid and 2,4-dimethyl amine salt.
In a notice seen by the Star that was issued on July 10, 2023, to all local agents and registrants, PCBP stated that the board made the decision after reviewing the registration status of the active ingredients and their associated end use products used in crop production.
This was done during the 164 board of management meeting held on May 25, 2023.
The notice issued and signed by PCPB chief executive officer Dr Ester Kimani cited safety trade concerns in the use of the active ingredients products.
The board noted that pymetrozine has suspected human carcinogen and is suspected of damaging fertility or the unborn child.
“PCPB board of management's decision is to withdraw the use of pymetrozine based products on all crops. Phased withdrawal by December 2024 and immediate termination of any ongoing registration of any pymetrizine based products,” the notice read.
Thiacloprid presented risks for fertility and prenatal development. This may damage fertility or the unborn baby. Besides, it also has risks and is suspected to cause cancer, “and highly toxic to bees.”
The board advised for the withdrawal of thiacloprid based products on all crops by 2024 and immediate termination of any ongoing products.
Diuron has specific target organ toxicity and may cause damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure. It was also noted to be a suspected carcinogenic due to increased incidence of bladder, kidney, uterine and mammary tumours in mice.
According to the European Union, diuron is classified as a substance suspected of having carcinogenic potential for humans. Similarly, the United States Environmental Protection Agency has classified it a likely human carcinogen.
Chlorothalonil has also been suspected of having carcinogenic potential to humans, with high long term risks to aquatic organisms.
The board called for withdrawal of both diuron and chlorothalonil based products for all crops by next year and immediate termination of registration of the based products.
On propineb, the board noted that its use in warm and humid climates accelerates the degradation of propineb residues. They have adverse effects on the thyroid and are suspected of damaging the unborn child.
The board recommended; “Withdrawal of use of propineb and its associated end use products on all edible crops. All propineb based products labels to be reviewed immediately to include the statement, ‘not for use in edible crops’ and immediately submitted to PCPB for approval,” the notice stated. The board also terminated any ongoing registration.
The board indicated an excess of chlorpyrifos maximum residue levels on coffee beans and other horticulture produce in the export market.
“In the recent past, Kenya has received various communications on notification from Japan due to exceedances of MRLs for chlorpyrifos on Kenyan coffee. EU, which is the largest and critical market for Kenyan coffee beans and other horticulture produce, reviewed the MRL for chlorpyrifos and chlorpyrifos methyl for coffee to the limit of detection 0.01mg/kg. This is taking cognisance of the importance of the Japan and EU market for Kenyan coffee beans,” PCPB said.
The board further called for the withdrawal of all chlorpyrifos and chlorpyrifos methyl based products by December 2024.
They also called for immediate cancellation on registration, restriction on the use of the based products to building and construction use only. In addition to re-labelling of the products to not for use in edible crops.
The notice also indicated that all 2,4-D products labels to be reviewed immediately to include the statement ‘not for use in coffee’, and called for cancellation of ongoing registration of 2,4-D based products for use in coffee.
Kimani urged agents and registrants to take note of the effective dates for each of the decisions and act accordingly.