DON’T ALLOW REFINED OIL IMPORTS, INSISTS ZNFU

THEZambia National Framers Union (ZNFU) has urged Government not to allow the importation of refined cooking oil as the country has grown sufficient soya beans for the production of the commodity.

ZNFU has also warned against listing importation of wheat under the African Continental Free Trade Area (ACFTA) as it will damage the sub-sector in the country.

Government should ensure that it enforces the rule of not bringing in refined cooking oil because that damages the growth of the oil seeds, said ZNFU president, Jervis Zimba in an interview.

Mr Zimba said ZNFU was aware that there were some businesses that were forcing Government to bring in refined cooking oil which was of no benefit to the country other than themselves.

He said Government should not bend to demands as doing so would lead to local farmers losing out.

“We are aware of some people pushing for the importation of refined cooking oil so that they can benefit. This is very sad and unfair as it disadvantaged the local market and farmers.

“So far, Government has been with us on this matter because we have advised them that refined cooking oil Saturday25

April, 2020 should not come in the country unless as crude oil,” Mr Zimba said.

ZNFU, Mr Zimba said, was so far happy with the crop diversification this year as there seemed to be a good and unprecedented crop of soya beans.

He explained that many farmers had grown soya beans and that depending on how the season would end, ZNFU hoped to have a good crop.

“All we want is that we must grow local. President Edgar Lungu gave a directive that he wants to see the agriculture sector diversified so we are happy that the farmers have grown quite a lot of groundnuts which are designated for exports and also soya beans.

“If we grow more this year, we will still allow some to be exported like we did last year, we allowed some to be exported which brings in foreign exchange,” Mr Zimba said.

Meanwhile, Mr Zimba urged Government not to list importation of wheat under the ACFTA as it would damage the sub-sector in Zambia.

“Bringing in flour through the ACFTA, if we are not careful this will be the end of the wheat sector in Zambia, it will be damaged.

“Our advice is that they should not sign the sector under the agreement otherwise we will be in a mess as a country. They should not put flour on the agreement," Mr Zimba said.