The Gambia, being primarily an agricultural country, imports significant quantities of agro-chemicals and pesticides to enhance its agricultural productivity. Chemicals and pesticides are used to prevent and control diseases. Their indiscriminate sale is rampant. They can however, if used, handled, applied or stored improperly, have adverse effects on man and his environment. The possible adverse effects range from respiratory tract infection, skin and liver infections to human cancer. it can also have damaging effects on our plant and animal life. To minimize these effects the Government of The Gambia enacted an Act called the Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides Control Management Act in 1994 and then called for the creation of the Hazardous Chemical and pesticide Board.

The office of the registrar implements the decision of the Chemical and Pesticides Control Management Board, maintains a register on the status of pesticides and chemicals imported, issues licences and certificates, and executes the day-to-day administration of pesticides and chemicals. it also implements International Notification Schemes. The Office which is located at the NEA headquarters, on the comer of Allen and Fitzgerald Streets in Banjul, is open to the general public, Mondays to Fridays during regular Working hours, or can be contacted by letter or by telephone.

No person shall import, manufacture, formulate, offer, hold stock, sell, use or advertise any chemical, or pesticide which has not been registered, provisionally cleared, or authorized in accordance with the provisions of the Act.

No person/business should engage in the manufacturing, import, wholesale, retail, warehousing or commercial application of pesticides/chemicals without obtaining the necessary license from the Board

No person shall use or require another and pesticides person to use a chemical or pesticide in a manner or for a purpose contrary to the manner or purpose permitted by the Board.

A person who requires or permits another person to use a chemical or pesticide shall provide and require that other person to use such facilities and clothing conducive to the safe handling of such chemical or pesticide.

Synthetic Chemicals and Pesticides are used in The Gambia in various sectors such as; agriculture, education, manufacturing industry, construction, research, textile etc. Even though they are very beneficial to humans, they possess certain hazards to humans and the environment. Photo below shows some of the hazards associated with chemicals.