The National Environment Agency (NEA) has said sellers of Sniper pesticide, which is banned under the Hazardous Chemical and Pesticides Act, risked jail time if they are caught.  

NEA’s announcement comes after the Food Safety and Quality Authority confirmed that some fish smokers used the dangerous pesticide on fish. 

Lamin Jaiteh, registrar of pesticides and chemical at the National Environment Agency, told reporters yesterday that anyone found in possession of Sniper pesticides will face a maximum prison term of three to four years.

“As per Hazardous Chemical and Pesticides Control and Management Act 1994, the law says that if a person commits either any activity that is contradictory to the Act is liable to a conviction to fine not exceeding 20,000 dalasis or a term of imprisonment not exceeding two years.

“But we are actually revising the Act and then the fines in the new revised Act actually someone selling as per the Act or a person who commits or offends against the provision of this Act which no penalty is provided will be liable to a conviction to a fine not exceeding 30,000 dalasis or a term of imprisonment not exceeding three years,” he said.

“So, the Act went on and say that if a person commits such activities as I mentioned [ gives false information and application for registration of a chemical– manufactured, import or export or sell of unregistered pesticides or a banned chemical or pesticides] is liable to a conviction of not exceeding 50,000 dalasis or in term of imprisonment not exceeding 4 years,” he added.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba