Agricultural Chemical Registration Requirements in Botswana

1. Overview of Botswana

የ Republic of Botswana is a landlocked country located in Southern Africa, bordered by ዝምባቡዌ to the east, ናምቢያ to the west, ዛምቢያ to the north, and ደቡብ አፍሪቃ to the south. Despite being known as one of Africa’s most stable and prosperous nations, Botswana’s agricultural sector remains underdeveloped. Only about 15% of the country’s land area is arable, and the main crops cultivated are ማሽላ እና maize.

To ensure the safe management and regulation of agricultural inputs, Botswana implemented the Agricultural Chemicals Registration and Licensing Act ላይ May 1, 2000, establishing the legal framework for the registration, licensing, and control of agricultural chemicals.

2. Regulatory Authority

የ National Agricultural Chemicals Committee (NACC) is the central authority responsible for overseeing the registration and control of agricultural chemicals in Botswana.

Composition and Structure

• The Committee consists of twelve members appointed by the Minister of Agriculture.
• የ Registrar of Agricultural Chemicals serves as the Secretary of the Committee, participating in all meetings but without voting rights.
• የ Minister may also appoint up to two additional members with relevant knowledge or experience to assist in fulfilling the Committee’s functions. These additional members may attend meetings but do not have voting rights.

3. Registration of Agricultural Chemicals

(1) Registration Requirement

No person may possess, use, import, manufacture, advertise, distribute, or sell any agricultural chemical unless it has been duly registered under this Act.

However, the law provides exceptions for agricultural chemicals that are:

1. Intended solely for research or experimental purposes; or
2. In transit through Botswana to another country, provided that the Registrar is satisfied that the product will not be used or remain in Botswana.

(2) Agricultural Chemicals Register

The Registrar must maintain an official register containing:

• የ name of each registered agricultural chemical,
• የ conditions under which the certificate was granted, and
• Any other relevant details prescribed by law.

Proprietary or confidential information submitted with the application may አይደለም be entered into the public register except as required by law or by court order.

Any person may inspect, copy, ወይም request extracts from the register upon payment of the prescribed fee and compliance with the relevant conditions.

(3) Application for Registration

Applications for the registration of an agricultural chemical must be:

• Submitted in writing to the Registrar, using the prescribed form;
• Accompanied by the required fee, እና
• Supported by any data, samples, and materials requested by the Registrar.

Upon receiving the application, the Registrar shall review it to determine whether the product:

• Is effective እና suitable for use in Botswana; and
• Complies with the regulations made under the Act.

During the evaluation process, the Registrar may seek advice from the Committee. After consultation, the Registrar may:

1. Approve the registration;
2. Reject the application;
3. Defer the decision pending submission of additional data; or
4. Provisional registration—if the product is registered in another country, the Registrar may register it after further local testing to ensure its safety and efficacy under Botswana conditions.

If approved, the Registrar shall issue a Certificate of Registration, which may include specific conditions regarding:

• Importation, manufacture, labeling, advertising, distribution, sale, and use;
• Special handling and environmental precautions if the product is classified as restricted; or
• Use under the supervision of authorized personnel.

(4) Validity and Renewal of Certificate

• A registration certificate is valid for five (5) years.
• The Registrar, in consultation with the Committee, may renew the certificate if the product remains effective and suitable for use in Botswana, subject to payment of the renewal fee.
• The Registrar may require the submission of updated data as a condition for renewal.

(5) Modification or Cancellation of Certificates

During the validity period, the Registrar, after consulting the Committee, may:

1. Amend the conditions of registration if the product’s effectiveness or suitability changes under Botswana conditions; or
2. Cancel the certificate if it is proven that the registered product is no longer effective or safe for use in Botswana.

4. Licensing of Agricultural Chemicals

In addition to registration, entities or individuals intending to import, distribute, or sell agricultural chemicals must obtain a license.

(1) Application for License

Applicants must submit a prescribed form along with the application fee to the Registrar.

(2) Training Requirement

Before a license can be issued, the Registrar may require the applicant to attend and successfully complete an approved training course.

(3) Evaluation and Issuance of License

Upon receipt of an application, the Registrar shall verify that:

• The applicant has completed the required training; and
• The product in question is properly registered under the Act.

If these conditions are met, the Registrar may issue a license to the applicant, subject to any specific conditions deemed necessary. These conditions will be endorsed on the license itself.

(4) Validity and Renewal of License

• A license is valid for the period specified on the document.
• It may be renewed upon expiration, provided the applicant submits a renewal form and pays the prescribed fee.

(5) Modification of License Conditions

The Registrar may amend the conditions of a license at any time during its validity if deemed necessary, without compensating the license holder for any resulting costs.

(6) Suspension or Revocation

If a license holder violates any provision of the Act or fails to comply with the conditions of the license, the Registrar may suspend or revoke the license by written notice.

5. Summary

Botswana’s Agricultural Chemicals Registration and Licensing Act (2000) establishes a comprehensive system for the control, registration, and safe use of agricultural chemicals in the country. The legislation ensures that only products meeting scientific safety, efficacy, and environmental standards are allowed into the market.

By requiring registration certificates, licenses, እና training compliance, the Act aims to protect human health, animal welfare, plant life, and the environment while supporting agricultural productivity.