DAVAO CITY | JANUARY 20, 2023 – The Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) RFU 11 gathered all the extruders in the region to discuss the proposed new protocol of banning Chlorpyrifos in the banana industry on January 20, 2023, at the FPA RFO-XI office in Davao City.

Regional Officer (RO). Marrisa Napalit and Deputy Executive Director (DED) for Pesticide. Eric Divinagracia spearheaded the meeting to address the new Maximum Residue Limit (MRL) requirement for banana exports.

With Japan and Korea setting a new MRL requirement for Chlorpyrifos, DED Divinagracia believed that other banana-importing countries like China would probably adopt the said restriction anytime.

“It is time for the Philippines to set a new rule to ban the product since we are [always or somehow] behind on the banning in relation to other restrictions. Moreover, setting this new rule will ease trade transactions in the global market,” DED Divinagracia said.

RO Napalit emphasized that banning the said active ingredient would benefit the banana growers and suggested switching to other alternatives (active ingredient) in controlling insect pests in bananas.

Chlorpyrifos is an organophosphate pesticide used in farming to kill pests. However, it is also a toxic substance that could affect the nervous system depending on the amount and length of exposure.

Moreover, DED Divinagracia is planning to consult the Philippine Banana Growers and Exporters Association (PBGEA), Mindanao Banana Farmers and Exporters Association, and other government agencies on this concern.

Once the memorandum on banning Chlorpyrifos is issued, FPA will inform all parties as soon as possible.

Another topic discussed in the meeting was selling pesticide-impregnated polybags which is not allowed at the dealer’s level. RO Napalit suggested that it could be high time for the government to rationalize existing regulation

Due to factors that need to be considered, Mr. Divinagracia said this needs to be discussed with the local government units. However, extruders were still encouraged to send a letter of intent to FPA requesting for exemption in their selling of poly bags to the dealers. ###