The meeting was held to discuss the storage of agricultural chemicals on the farms. The Statutory Instrument empowers the regulator to affect such charges on anyone, importing, distributing, storing and using the chemicals.
Following this meeting the following was the record of the discussions:-
Both ZNFU and ECZ acknowledged the lacuna in the SI in that the law was rather applied as a levy instead of a penalty to those found not complying with the provisions of the law in as far as following the guidelines as to the distribution, storage and utilization of Chemicals.
Both ZNFU ECZ agreed that there was need to categories the penalties in terms of the type of the agricultural chemical (hazardous, residual, etc), level of usage, etc.
Both ZNFU and ECZ resolved to establish thresholds as to who in the distribution chain of such agricultural chemicals should be charged such fees, by how much and for what quantities, etc
Both ZNFU and ECZ acknowledged that the fees were too high for the end users, i.e. the farmers.
Both ZNFU and ECZ acknowledged that there was need to amend the SI and take into account the challenges and the concerns that have been raised by the stakeholders.
However, the process of amending the SI was not going to happen overnight, therefore the two institutions in principle agreed to explore the following short terms measures:-
Consider increasing the license period for agricultural chemicals from the current one year to three years as this measure is within the powers of the ECZ Board and Management.
ZNFU and ECZ to establish a partnership program which will allow the two institutions to carry out awareness program on the usage, and storage of agricultural chemicals on farms.
ZNFU will continue giving you progress on the matter on how it will eventually be concluded. We invite further comments from members on the outcome of the meeting and the discussion so that we strengthen our lobby position on the matter.
