Faced with the rise in crop pests in the region, the ECOWAS Commission and its partners are working together in organizing the response. With this end in view, the Commission adopted for example in 2008, the Regulation on the harmonization of the rules governing the registration of pesticides in West Africa, followed by the establishment of the West African Pesticides Registration Committee, which works in tandem with the Sahelian Pesticides Committee. Adding to this, other regulatory frameworks, such as the adoption in 2010 of the Regulation on the harmonization of plant health, animal health and food safety rules in West Africa have been established.

Considering continental and international practices and standards, efforts are also in progress to harmonize the sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) standards in West Africa. Such efforts involve increased participation of Member States and the ECOWAS Commission in the SPS standards development process at both regional and international levels for experience sharing.

The leadership of the ECOWAS and UEMOA Commissions, with the collaboration of the various technical and financial partners, should also be further strengthened to facilitate the coordination of current and future development, research, and extension initiatives in the region.

Indeed, without a rapid and concerted response, this threat could severely affect crops and pastures, increase food dependency, and increase the vulnerability of populations to food and nutrition insecurity.

Therefore, actions undertaken by most countries, research, training, and support to producers, sharing of good practices, pooling of research results, revamping of the regional monitoring system, anticipation, early warning, capacity building, involvement and stronger collaboration with private sector actors constitute, among others, key areas of cooperation to be promoted. The region shall also ensure that all control products are registered and of good quality.