![\"\"](\"https:\/\/genesisekucalenimedia.com\/edn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/PAGE-3-A-dagga-field.-There-has-been-a-call-by-Eswatini-Cannabis-Association-to-stop-spraying-dagga-fields-using-potentially-harmful-chemicals-to-the-environment.-1.jpg\")
The ECA also condemned what it describes as a regressive and contradictory approach by the government in its handling of cannabis policy.
After the 2022 rejection of the Opium and Habit-Forming Drugs (Amendment) Bill No. 6 of 2020 due to a lack of consultation, the Ministry of Health was instructed to engage stakeholders to develop an inclusive, evidence-based Cannabis Bill.<\/p>\n
Yet, in 2025, the government re-gazetted the same outdated 1922 law, again without meaningful consultation, particularly with rural cannabis growers who have the most to lose.<\/p>\n
Despite previous statements by Commerce, Industry, and Trade Minister Manqoba Khumalo that the cannabis bill would be restructured and divided among three ministries, Health, Commerce, and Agriculture, the ECA noted that none of these processes had materialised, while chemical eradication has been aggressively pursued. The ECA\u2019s letter to Parliament and relevant Ministries lays out a detailed list of demands that must be met before any further spraying can proceed:
ECA\u2019s call to government<\/strong><\/p>\n
1. Legal Authority
Government must cite the statutory provision permitting chemical spraying of cannabis.
Provide evidence that the herbicides are registered and approved for this specific use.
2. Environmental Safeguards
Submit a copy of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) approved by the Eswatini Environment Authority.
Disclose mitigation plans for protecting soil, water, biodiversity, and nearby communities.
3. Health and Safety Measures
List of all chemicals to be used, with Safety Data Sheets (SDS).
Proof that all applicators are trained, licensed, and equipped with protective gear.
Emergency response plans for cases of community exposure or contamination.
4. Transparency and Accountability
Public maps showing targeted areas and spray schedules.
Reports on post-spray residue monitoring and mechanisms for public complaints and testing.
5. Inclusive Cannabis Legislation
Immediate re-engagement with all cannabis stakeholders, particularly small-scale and indigenous growers.
Development of a comprehensive Cannabis Bill that reflects Eswatini\u2019s social, economic, and environmental realities \u2014 not outdated colonial laws.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"By Kwanele Dhladhla The Eswatini Cannabis Association (ECA) has written a formal letter to the government and Parliament…","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4358,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"iawp_total_views":0,"csco_display_header_overlay":false,"csco_singular_sidebar":"","csco_page_header_type":"","csco_page_load_nextpost":"","csco_post_video_location":[],"csco_post_video_location_hash":"","csco_post_video_url":"","csco_post_video_bg_start_time":0,"csco_post_video_bg_end_time":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21,22,24,25],"tags":[46,55,73,48,58],"class_list":["post-4353","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-business","category-eswatini-daily-news","category-future","category-national","tag-africa","tag-business","tag-eswatini","tag-feature","tag-national","cs-entry","cs-video-wrap"],"yoast_head":"\n