World in brief

NEPAL

The Nepal government announced that while the country’s bee farmers had a bumper honey season, there was no improvement in the export of the item. However, the Integrated Agriculture and Livestock Development office said that the harvest had just started, so there was no need to worry about sales as yet. Due to Nepal’s diverse climate conditions, the country is home to five species of honeybees, making it a top producer of honey.

UNITED STATES

According to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), a senator is calling for government to investigate the imports of garlic from China. In a letter written to government, the senator claims that the garlic is unsafe due to unsanitary production methods. The senator referred to garlic being grown in sewage, and added: “Food safety and security is an existential emergency that poses grave threats to our national security, public health, and economic prosperity.”

PHILIPPINES

The Department of Agriculture in the Philippines said that imported rice that arrived in January would boost the country’s inventory. The Undersecretary of the department, Roger Navarro, said the country had received rice from Taiwan and India that would help with the shortage of supply due to a poor harvest season.

“We received reports that around 100 000t of imported rice has arrived in the country. This is part of the 495 000t committed by import permit holders,” he said.

Rice is a staple in the country and, according to Navarro, this import will ensure they have enough supply until the next harvest that will start in March.