The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries (LVV) currently does not have the legal authority to act independently during inspections of pesticides in vegetables. The existing Pesticides Act dates from 1972 and, according to the ministry, limits its options for enforcement. Meanwhile, a proposal for a new pesticides law has been before De Nationale Assemblée (DNA, Suriname’s parliament) since 2024.
This was stated by acting deputy director of Agri Health, Romarlisa Bisphan, on Thursday, October 29, 2026, during an interview with the Communicatie Dienst Suriname (CDS). The reason was media reports about vegetables that may have been rejected in the Netherlands due to excessively high concentrations of pesticide residues.
According to Bisphan, the approach to pesticide residues is hampered by a combination of outdated legislation and insufficient laboratory capacity.
The ministry is therefore urging the consideration and approval of the new pesticides law. Although the building for a residue laboratory has now been completed, the facility is not yet operational.
No official notification received from the Netherlands
Bisphan stressed that LVV has so far not received any official notification from the Dutch authorities regarding the alleged rejection of vegetables from Suriname.
“We also had to learn of it through the media,” she stated.
According to media reports, the substance carbendazim was found in kouseband. This is a fungicide used in agriculture. In sopropo, the substance concerned would be acetamiprid, an insecticide. In both cases, there would be elevated concentrations of pesticide residues.
Bisphan pointed out that it has not yet been established whether the vegetables in question actually originated from Suriname. Similar agricultural products are also exported to the Netherlands from other countries.
The ministry has meanwhile contacted the relevant agencies and has itself investigated what exactly happened.
Phytosanitary inspection is not residue inspection
The acting deputy director explained that, in the export of agricultural products, LVV mainly monitors plant health and compliance with phytosanitary regulations.
When an export consignment meets these regulations, a phytosanitary certificate is issued. This certificate concerns plant health and does not in itself confirm that the vegetables meet all food safety standards for pesticide residues.
According to Bisphan, the products are inspected again after arrival in the Netherlands before reaching the consumer market.
Illegal and expired pesticides found
During inspections among pesticide sellers, LVV’s Bestrijdingsmiddelen department found several illegal and expired pesticides.
Because the ministry is not independently authorised to seize these products, a report was drawn up and forwarded to the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Entrepreneurship and Technological Innovation (EZOTI).
The products concerned were subsequently seized.
“As LVV, we are not allowed to seize the pesticides,” Bisphan stressed.
According to LVV’s explanation, the situation underscores the limitations faced by the ministry in enforcing the current regulations.
Residue laboratory must be operational in 2027
LVV is meanwhile working on various measures to improve oversight of pesticide use and food safety.
Work is being carried out on a residue decree and on making the laboratory operational, where agricultural products can be tested for pesticide residues.
According to Bisphan, the aim is for the laboratory to be put into use in the first half of 2027.
In addition, the ministry is developing a traceability system that can determine where agricultural products originate. This should make it possible to better establish the origin of products when undesirable pesticide residues are found.
Farmers have their own responsibility
In addition to legal and technical improvements, LVV is focusing on informing and guiding farmers. The ministry has recently provided training for individual producers and agricultural cooperatives on the responsible use of pesticides.
A nationwide information campaign on pesticides is also being prepared. Attention will be given to the risks of pesticides and how they must be applied safely.
Bisphan stressed that food safety is not solely the responsibility of the government. Farmers must also comply with the instructions for the use of pesticides.
With the proposed legislative amendment, the commissioning of the residue laboratory and the introduction of a traceability system, LVV aims to strengthen its capacity for inspection and oversight of agricultural products.
