by Marie Kauna – EMTV Online, Port Moresby
A review will soon be conducted regarding the import ban placed on various fruits and vegetables. Prime Minister, Peter O’Neill, made this clear today.
This follows concerns raised by the business community and the general public.
“I have been briefed by the Minister for Agriculture and Livestock, Tommy Tomscoll, on the status of the import ban on fruits and vegetables.
“Given the debate surrounding the ban, he has informed me that he will be making an announcement for a review of the ban in the next few days.
“This approach is taken, so that we can monitor and manage the import of fruits and vegetables,” O’Neill said.
He said the ban is not to completely ban the import of all fruits and vegetables but to safeguard our bio security.
“It is important the National Agriculture and Quarantine Inspection Authority check all imports into the country which may have potential bio security threats.
“We want to encourage Papua New Guineans to grow vegetable. We cannot continue to import these fruits and vegetables, much it can be grown in the country. In fact it is already available in all areas in the country,” he said.
“Importers must work closely with our local farmers to ensure there is consistency in the supply of fruits and vegetables to their supermarkets.”
It is too early to predict the outcome of the review but it expected to be beneficial to all stakeholders.
