Refrigeration to become mandatory for food transportation from June

The decision prohibits the entry and exit of all agricultural products through border posts if the means of transport are not refrigerated

Times News Service

MUSCAT: Import and export of all agricultural products by land will be mandatorily done via refrigerated trucks from June 1, the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries has announced.

Anyone who violates this, will be slapped with an administrative fine of not more than OMR 1,000.

This announcement comes after Ministerial Decision No. 218/2018 was issued on 5/8/2018 concerning ‘Regulating the Transport of Agricultural Products through Land Ports’. The decision prohibits the entry and exit of all agricultural products through border posts if the means of transport are not refrigerated.

The decision also stipulates that the means of transport shall be allocated only for the transportation of agricultural and food products, and on the basis that the machine is capable of maintaining appropriate temperature for the product and automatic cooling control mechanisms as per the load of the vehicle is maintained.

The ministerial decision also outlines that the trucks shall also be equipped with temperature and humidity measuring and recording devices.

The drivers and transporters of agricultural products through the ports have been ordered to clean the refrigerator regularly and to make sure that the packaging of the agricultural products in the refrigerator is done in an organised manner.

The driver also should not mix different agricultural products in one shipment unless they are comply with the requirements, the decision says.

The requirements set by the decision include heat, humidity, moisture absorption, aromatherapy, and moisture production optimum for the transport of various products.

The decision also stipulates that cooling devices should not be turned off at any time as long as the vehicle is loaded with the products.

Anyone who violates these norms will be slapped with an administrative fine of not more than OMR 1,000.