Bahrain to lift import ban on Egyptian veggies, fruits

Manama : The import ban on some Egyptian agricultural products is expected to be lifted in the next few days, according to Egyptian Agriculture Minister Abdulmoneim Al Banna. Al Banna confirmed in recent statements the temporary lifting of the ban on Egyptian agricultural exports of peppers, lettuce, guava and onions to Kuwait and Bahrain.

“An Egyptian Agriculture Ministry delegation held a number of meetings in Kuwait and Bahrain, during which the Egyptian new control system on pesticide residue in agricultural crops has been displayed,” Egyptian daily, Al Masry Al Youm, quoted the minister as saying on Friday.

“Bahraini officials agreed on the lifting of the ban after the meetings starting Thursday, while Kuwaiti officials agreed on lifting the ban temporarily for three months during which Egyptian agricultural exports will be examined of pesticide residues,” Al Banna said.

DT News had reported earlier that a ban on importing vegetables and fruits from certain countries in the region was imposed last April.

Agriculture and Marine Resources Affairs in Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Ministry announced back then that the ban includes Lebanon, Jordan, Oman, Egypt and Yemen.

The ban came within several precautionary steps taken by the Kingdom to ensure the safety of food products, after the uncertainty of the agricultural pesticides used in these countries, with the possibility of them having higher levels of the standards approved by the constitution of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).

The ministry’s announcement precisely mentioned that the import of chilli pepper and capsicum from Egypt, Apple from Lebanon, chilli, capsicum, cabbage, lettuce, cornflower and eggplant from Jordan and sweet melon, carrot and rocca from Oman and all fruits from Yemen have been banned until further notice.

No statements were made yet by the authorities here regarding the lifting of the ban. 

But Agriculture and Marine Resources Affairs Undersecretary Shaikh Khalifa bin Isa Al Khalifa confirmed to an Arabic daily yesterday that the ban will be lifted soon.