The Federal Government says it is hopeful that the European Union and United States embargo on Nigeria’s agricultural products will soon be lifted as it is working out plans to ensure the country’s produce are accepted in the global market.
This was disclosed by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), Mohammad Abubakar, at a briefing on the Agro Zero Reject Initiative by the Standing Inter-Ministerial Technical Committee (SIMTC) in Abuja.
The Minister stated that Nigeria’s Integrated Export Control Plan (IECP) should be carefully crafted and mentioned the country’s significant export potential for agricultural goods.
The purpose of the Standing Inter-Ministerial Technical Committee, according to Mr. Abdullahi Abubakar, Director of the Federal Department of Agriculture (FDA), is to see that the EU export embargo on beans from Nigeria is repealed. The Minister stated that Nigeria’s Integrated Export Control Plan (IECP) should be carefully crafted and mentioned the country’s significant export potential for agricultural goods.
According to him, Nigeria should never again suffer any rejection of agro-commodities in the export market.
The FDA director stated that Nigeria’s Integrated Export Control Plan is a five-year action plan for all Sanitary and Phyto-Sanitary (SPS) agencies, and it is critical stakeholders provide the substantive guarantee required by the EU that SPS bodies in Nigeria implement Food Safety protocols in accordance with international standards.
