Widely used agricultural chemicals phased out

Uganda has ordered the phase-out, and restriction of several widely used agricultural chemicals, citing risks to human health, the environment and the country’s export competitiveness, reports ChimpReports. The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry & Fisheries said the decision followed a scientific review by its Agricultural Chemicals Review Committee, which assessed ‘safety, trade and national interest concerns; linked to the chemicals. Chemicals including alpha-cypermethrin, atrazine, butachlor, dimethoate and propanil will be phased out, with immediate bans on importation and full withdrawal expected between mid-2026 and the end of 2026. Others will remain in use under strict controls. Imidacloprid will be limited to coffee pest control and seed treatment, carbendazim to cashew nuts, indoxacarb to tomatoes and brassica crops, while profenofos will be restricted to fall armyworm control in maize. Fipronil will no longer be used in agriculture and will only be allowed for termite control in construction. The Ministry said the review found several of the chemicals posed serious risks, ranging from cancer and reproductive harm to environmental damage and threats to pollinators. Officials said the measures were also aimed at protecting Uganda’s trade interests, noting that continued use of hazardous chemicals could affect access to export markets with strict residue limits. The reforms mark one of Uganda’s most significant regulatory shifts in the agriculture sector, as authorities seek to balance farm productivity with public health, environmental protection and international trade standards.