AGRICULTURE (CONTROL OF IMPORTATION) ACT
Act · Agriculture
An Act enables the Federal Government to control or prohibit the importation of agricultural commodities to protect domestic production. It targets importers and the Nigeria Customs Service, while safeguarding local farmers and agribusiness. This promotes food security and reduces unfair foreign competition.
AGRICULTURE (CONTROL OF IMPORTATION) ACT
What Is This Policy?
An Act enabling the Federal Government to control, restrict, or prohibit the importation of agricultural commodities to protect domestic food production and agricultural industries.
Who Does It Target?
Importers of agricultural products Nigeria Customs Service enforcing agricultural import controls Domestic farmers and agribusiness protected by restrictions Federal Ministry of Agriculture
What Does It Aim to Achieve?
Protect Nigerian agriculture from unfair foreign competition and import surges, promote domestic food production, ensure food security, and regulate the use of import restrictions as an agricultural policy tool.
Key Features
Ministerial Powers: The Minister of Agriculture may restrict or prohibit importation of specified agricultural products by order. Seasonal Controls: Allows temporary import controls to protect domestic production during harvest seasons. Quality Controls: Importation may be conditioned on quality, phytosanitary, and safety certifications. Tariff Linkage: Agricultural import controls work in conjunction with the customs tariff regime.
Current Status
Rollout Stage: Active Coverage: Nationwide agricultural imports Beneficiaries: Nigerian farmers; food security; agricultural value chain Funding: Federal Government
How to Access
Check current agricultural import restrictions before placing import orders Obtain all required phytosanitary certificates before importation Comply with customs tariff on agricultural imports Application method: Import restrictions published by Federal Ministry of Agriculture; consult NCS for current status.
Important Terms
Import prohibitions override trade commitments only to the extent permitted by WTO rules Seasonal import restrictions have defined periods Violation of import restrictions is an offence under the Customs Act
Official Resources
Website: https://www.fmard.gov.ng Contact: Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development
Legal Framework
Enacted under the legislative powers of the National Assembly as the Agriculture (Control of Importation) Act (Cap A12 LFN 2004). Operates alongside the Customs and Excise Management Act (Cap C45 LFN 2004), the Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Service (Establishment, etc.) Act, the NAFDAC Act for food safety, and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria Act 2015. Aligns with WTO Agreement on Agriculture and SPS (Sanitary and Phytosanitary) standards.