fpis
Produce Inspection started in Nigeria in 1917 under the Department of Customs and Excise. At that time grades, standards and security seals were introduced to facilitate quality control and check fraudulent practices in produce inspection. This was mainly in the Western region of the country. Same measures were adopted in the Eastern region in 1928 for palm produce and in the Northern region in 1936 for groundnuts. The office of the Chief Inspector of Produce was therefore created in 1954 to be directly responsible to the Director of Agriculture.
Federal Produce Inspection Service (FPIS) was then established in 1954 under section 5 of the Produce Inspection Act as an institution responsible for the inspection and enforcement of export standards by ensuring that only good quality and pest-free agricultural produce leave the shores of the country to the international market. Since then subsequent legislations had re-enforced its status in inspection, quality control and certification of all agro produce billed for the international market. Such legislations include;
a) Produce (Enforcement of export standards) Ordinance of 1958
b) Pest control of Produce (Special powers) Decree of 1968
c) Export of Nigerian Produce Act, Cap 119, LFN 1990
d) Produce (Enforcement of Export Standards) Act, Cap 371, LFN 1990
e) Pre-shipment of exports Decree of 1996
f) Enforcement of Export Standards Act, P32, LFN 2004 (Updated 2010, 2016)
To coordinate and facilitate fumigation and quality control of all agricultural produce/commodities via guided procedures as a means of standardization and certification enhancing safe consumption and satisfactory international trade.
To present high quality and pest-free agricultural produce/commodities to the international market.
Ensuring compliance with the internationally prescribed grades and standards for all agricultural produce as pre-conditions for export/processing.
The FPIS is a uniformed service with operational jurisdiction in all geo-political zones of the country, seaports, border posts and airports.
i. Administrative Headquarters: Coordinates and facilitates administrative functions of the Department and situated in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
ii. Operational Headquarters: Is situated in Lagos and coordinates all field activities in Lagos and other regions (States) for effective warehouse inspection, quality check-tests, pest control (fumigation and/or disinfestation), monitoring and enforcement of quality standards.
iii. The Department is divided into 4 divisions as follows; Quality control and Certification; Surveillance and Enforcement; Pest control and Fumigation, Produce Technical Matters.
