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UAE lifts ban on import of fruits, vegetables from Jordan

Ras Al Khaimah - Previously banned produce from Jordan included pepper, cabbage, lettuce, squash, beans, eggplant and cauliflowers.

The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) has announced that it has lifted the ban on the import of all fruits and vegetables from Jordan.

The announcement came following the visit of Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, the UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment, to the Jordanian Ministry of Agriculture, Khalid Hneifat, who briefed Al Zeyoudi on the measures taken by the Jordanian government to ensure the safety of Jordanian agricultural products.

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.

Al Zeyoudi also requested that the Jordanian Ministry of Agriculture designate a liaison officer to communicate with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment to ensure prompt corrective action by both sides in the event of identifying samples that do not meet approved standards.

The Jordanian Ministry of Agriculture shall notify all exporters of agricultural products regarding the rules and regulations for the export of fruits and vegetables to the UAE and emphasize 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 cauliflowers.

Through its sophisticated laboratories accredited by the UK Accreditation Service (UKAS), the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment analyzes pesticide residues in all fresh produce and processed food in line with the best international standards. Laboratories in the UAE have the capacity to analyze 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 Ministry of Climate Change and Environment 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.