PARAMARIBO, Suriname, Nov 6, CMC – The Association of Agricultural Product Exporters in Suriname (VEAPS) says it is concerned at the “seriously inadequate oversight’ of pesticide use in vegetables and is pointing an accusing finger at the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries (LVV).
In a statement, the VEAPS said that the lack of effective controls endangers not only public health but also the reputation and export opportunities of Surinamese agricultural products. VEAPS said that it considers it unacceptable that the LVV cites the absence of a modern pesticide law, while an action plan and the necessary expertise to take action have been available since 2019.
The VEAPS statement follows reports regarding the rejection of vegetables, possibly originating from Suriname, due to excessively high concentrations of pesticide residues.
VEAPS said the government is not doing much to prevent vegetables containing unacceptable levels of pesticides from entering the market, making reference to the excesses of the Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs).
It said that these limits determine the maximum amount of pesticide residues allowed on or in food products. Exceeding limits can lead to the rejection of agricultural products and, depending on the substance and exposure, pose health risks.
According to VEAPS, the problem is not new and that as early as 2019, under the leadership of the LVV, work was underway to improve food safety and export controls in collaboration with exporters, agricultural organizations, and international experts.
It said this was prompted by stricter European regulations for the import of fruits and vegetables. With technical support from the international organization COLEACP, now COLEAD, an action plan was developed to prepare Suriname for a European audit in October 2019.
This examined the procedures of the LVV, the Plant Protection and Quality Inspection Department, and the inspection of export companies. Work also began on the development of a system to trace agricultural products back to the producer.
VEAPS said that an important part of this was the introduction of producer codes. Farmers were required to undergo training in good agricultural practices, including the responsible use of pesticides.
The system was intended to make it possible to identify growers and conduct more targeted monitoring of compliance with food safety regulations, VEAPS said, adding that this approach gradually stalled after the change of government in 2020.
It said that insufficient work has been done to restore the control system even after the 2025 elections, accusing successive governments of giving insufficient priority to food safety. to VEAPS said experts in crucial positions have been replaced and political appointments have undermined policy implementation.
VEAPS points out that a modern pesticide law did not exist in 2019, but that concrete steps were taken at that time under former minister Rabin Parmessar and that there was cooperation between the ministry, research institutions and the private sector leading to an action plan and the adoption of the updated Plant Protection Act in March 2020.
The VEAPS is urging the authorities to implement the law for the National Institute for Food Safety in Suriname (NIVS), which was adopted by the National Assembly in 2021, adding that the NIVS must play a central role in collecting reports, coordinating supervision, and monitoring food safety.
According to VEAPS, more is at stake than just exports and that the local consumer must also be able to trust that vegetables and fruit sold on the domestic market meet the applicable food safety standards.
CMC/lj/ir/2026