Almost a year after harmful heavy metals like cadmium, chromium and lead were found in dozens of pesticides, the government is yet to enforce mandatory tests to prevent imports of the adulterated chemicals, widely used in the country’s vast agriculture sector.

Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA) mandated tests at two designated government laboratories before the release of imported pesticides from ports since February 1 this year. But this date was extended several times following requests from importers.

“They [importers] requested us to suspend the embargo considering the adverse effect on agricultural production,” Md Abdul Quayium Sarkar, chairman of the BFSA, told The Daily Star recently.

He said the importers also urged further research to measure the harmful effects of heavy metals in pesticides, adding that the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) is the relevant authority in this regard.

The BFSA, on December 8 last year, first requested DAE to ensure every consignment of imported pesticides be released from the port customs based on tests at either the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Centre (BAEC) or the Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR), starting from February 1 this year.

Besides, the BFSA also requested the DAE to penalise companies which marketed contaminated pesticides.

“In tests, there was a high level of heavy metals in these pesticides. Heavy metals are severely polluting the food chain… Most of the pesticides used in the country are imported. There is an obligation to import pesticides free from heavy metals under the Pesticides Act,” reads the BFSA letter to the DAE.

However, following concerns noted by the Bangladesh Crop Protection Association (BCPA) and importers, the BFSA extended the deadline for mandatory testing of imported pesticides to July 1 this year before a further extension of a year.

M Sayeduzzaman, chairman of BCPA, a body of business enterprises involved in import, formulation and marketing of plant protection chemicals, said while the association agrees there should be a standard permissible limit of pesticides, the state of pesticides in the country cannot be determined until there is one.

“We have asked the ministry to allow continuing imports until the adoption of a permissible limit for heavy metals in pesticides,” he added.

Claiming the level of heavy metals found in pesticides to be “ignorable”, he said, “We mainly import pesticides from other countries. Future policy must be adaptive to the international standards. Otherwise, we will not be able to import pesticides and this, in the long run, will affect our food production.”

BFSA Chairman Quaiyum said, “We do not want something entering the country harming the environment — the agriculture department does not want that too. But we also do not want agricultural production to be hampered. There must be a balance between both.

“We are yet to get any update from them [the DAE],” he added.

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