Ban on fruits and vegetables import from Jordan lifted
dubai — The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) has announced lifting the ban on the imports of all fruits and vegetables from Jordan.
The announcement came following the visit of Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, to the Jordanian Ministry of Agriculture. Khalid Hneifat, Jordanian Minister of Agriculture, briefed Dr Al Zeyoudi on the measures taken by the Jordanian government to ensure the safety of agricultural products.
Dr Al Zeyoudi also requested the Jordanian ministry to designate a liaison officer to communicate with the MOCCAE to ensure prompt corrective action by both sides in the event of identifying samples that do not meet approved standards. They shall notify all exporters of agricultural products regarding the rules and regulations for the export of fruits and vegetables to the UAE and emphasise the importance of compliance.
If any pesticide residue is found on a fruit or vegetable in an amount higher than the permitted limit, the concerned importer will be banned from importing the produce for three months. Previously banned produce from Jordan included pepper, cabbage, lettuce, squash, beans, eggplant and cauliflower.
Ban lifting conditions
The ban lift is subject to the condition that the shipments of imported agricultural products include certificates of analysis confirming the absence of pesticide residues in accordance with the standards adopted in the UAE. The certificates should come from laboratories approved by the Jordanian Ministry of Agriculture, including the laboratories of the Ministry of Agriculture and Royal Scientific Society, and samples should be taken under the supervision of the Jordanian Ministry of Agriculture.
Furthermore, shipments of agricultural products should be accompanied by phytosanitary certificates confirming that the consignments come from farms certified for Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), organic farms or farms that apply 100 per cent biological pest control without using chemical pesticides.
How UAE ensures safe food?
Through its sophisticated laboratories accredited by the UK Accreditation Service (UKAS), the MOCCAE analyses pesticide residues in all fresh produce and processed food in line with the best international standards. Laboratories in the UAE have the capacity to analyse multiple samples simultaneously, producing timely results, and supporting prompt and accurate decision-making on consignments that violate safety rules and regulations.
As food safety and sustainable local production are crucial for the UAE’s food security system, they are among MOCCAE’s top strategic priorities. The MOCCAE spares no effort to ensure the safety of food in line with global best practices and the objectives of the UAE Vision 2021 National Agenda. Furthermore, the ministry works relentlessly to ensure that all foodstuff and food products in the country, both domestically produced and imported, are safe for consumption.
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