DILI, 16 january 2026 (TATOLI) – The Inspector-General of the Authority for Inspection and Supervision of Economic, Health, and Food Activities (AIFAESA), Odete Viegas, highlighted the importance of regulating pesticide use in Timor-Leste to protect human health from potential harmful effects.
Viegas made the remarks during a public hearing on the Pesticides Law proposal, organized by Committee D of the National Parliament, which oversees Economic and Development Affairs.
She said that the proposed Pesticides Law is essential for protecting public health and ensuring sustainable agriculture in Timor-Leste.
Viegas stressed that that while pesticides are essential for protecting crops from pests, their residues can remain in food products and pose serious health risks to consumers.
“These residues can be toxic and directly affect food products. When uncontrolled, they may have severe consequences for public health, particularly for children, potentially causing diseases such as cancer and impacting women’s reproductive health,” Viegas said.
She raised the importance of setting safe limits for pesticide residues in agricultural products to prevent negative health impacts.
Viegas also called on the government to implement the Food Safety Law to ensure that all food sold in the market is safe for consumption.
She highlighted the urgent need to establish regulations for monitoring pesticide residues from importation through to sale.
“It is essential for the government to implement a national monitoring program to ensure that products are free from harmful residues before reaching consumers,” she recommended.
Minister of Trade and Industry, Nino Filipus Pereira, who attended the hearing, explained that the proposed law sets clear rules for the licensing, production, storage, marketing, distribution, import, export, and disposal of pesticides.
“The proposal also includes specific measures to ensure safe use of pesticides, including mandatory product registration, licensing, proper training for farmers, and protective equipment,” he said.
Filipus added that the law aligns Timor-Leste’s practices with international pesticide conventions, establishing a database of authorized products and a rigorous inspection system, while introducing penalties for violations.
Meanwhile, Jorge Serrano, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, suggested that the law should also consider organic pesticides, which can be more effective under certain agricultural conditions.
The Council of Ministers approved the Pesticides Law proposal in may 2025. Presented by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Forestry, Marcos da Cruz, the law aims to regulate the licensing, import and export, production, sale, distribution, use, packaging, and disposal of all pesticides, including agricultural products, throughout their lifecycle.
The law also seeks to protect human, animal, and plant health, as well as marine and terrestrial environments.
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