Parliament summons Agric Minister over unapproved cocoa chemical on market

The Speaker of Parliament, Prof. Aaron Michael Ocquaye has directed the Minister of Food and Agriculture to appear before the House on June 5 to apprise members on the outcome of the Ministry's investigation into an unapproved cocoa chemical on the market. 

The Speaker's directive follows an urgent question from the MP for Juaboso, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh who wanted to know if the Minister was aware that one litre Rockstar, which is supposed to be cocoa insecticide, but not yet approved for sale by the Cocoa Research Institute, is already being sold on the market and the appropriate steps the Ministry is taking in that regard.  

The Deputy Minister, Kenneth Osei Nyarko who stood in for the Minister, explained that even though one brand of Rockstar has been approved, that particular one was not approved and a committee has been set up to investigate it. 

He said the report of the committee will be ready by the end of the month. 

Meanwhile, the Speaker has directed that the Ministry issue a disclaimer immediately warning farmers that that chemical has not been approved.

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