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New farmer’s market in Tyr

6-7-2020

Industry minister Imad Hobballah, inaugurated on Saturday “Khairat Jabal Amel” Farmer’s in the Tyre town of Abbasiyeh. Organized by the Regional Cooperative Union in South Lebanon in collaboration with “Good Tree Association” (al Shajarah al Tayibah), the market will be open to the public every Saturday from 9 am- 8 pm throughout the year. On the occasion, Hobballah stated that the economy should be productive, stressing that no economy, food security or social security is complete except when citizens return to their roots and lands. The minister hoped the farmers’ market will boost commercial and reciprocal exchange activity while contributing to the marketing of agro-food production in Tyre and the environs. He looked forward to streamline the model in various Lebanese regions. In conclusion, Hobballah said he anticipated the farmer’s market will become an opportunity for joint cooperation on the way to achieving sustainable development through building up real partnership between the government and public sectors. (Al Diyar, July 5, 2020)
 

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Potato farmers request halt of imports

2-7-2020

The head of the Beqaa Farmers’ Gathering, Ibrahim Tarshishi, yesterday discussed with the head of the Potato Farmers Association, George Sakr, the difficulties slowing the production of potato production in the Beqaa area. Among these, he mentioned: losses resulting from the closure of foreign markets; importation in US dollars against sales in Lebanese pound; problems in marketing of produce as well as the fluctuating prices of diesel. Noting, that the meeting comes one day after the announcement by the above gathering that it will not sell potatoes for one whole day due to the skyrocketing dollar price. Sakr pointed out that potato growers and farmers in general, are going through an economic hardship. Crops, mainly potatoes, onions and fruits, have been planted when the US dollar exchange rate was stable at LBP 1500, while the seeds and fertilizers were imported on the basis of the current exchange rate for the dollar, Sakr explained. Sakr further stressed that Lebanese farmers cannot make up for the heavy losses incurred even if they sold the whole harvest. Tarshishi for his part, lamented the confiscation by banks of farmers’ money, the cancellation of all agricultural loans and vetoing the opening of a loan account to purchase agricultural provisions. He appealed to officials to work to meet the following demands: 1) securing fuel at the official rate, 2) allocating a maximum sum of USD 100 million to the sector similar to industry while not sustaining the import of certain agricultural goods, like chickpeas, lentils, fava beans and barley, 3) asking IDAL to increase subsidization of one ton of exported potato from LBP 300 to 500 per one kg, 4) lifting various barriers on land export, and 5) suspending import of any agricultural commodity, namely potato, throughout the year to enable local farmers to supply the domestic market’s needs. Tarshishi voiced regret over the soaring prices of crops saying farmers are forced to do so due to the staggering rise of cost prices. Addressing the government, Tarshishi warned that should the official response continue to be reckless, farmers will regretfully seize to supply the market with potato for a while, threatening to stage an all-out strike across the Beqaa region as of next week. (Al Diyar, July 2, 2020)

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Lebanon top in youth hookah prevalence and smoking

1-7-2020

Citing a study published by AUB, Al Akhbar reported that around 21.5% of adult females and 48.6% of adult males in Lebanon are cigarette smokers against respectively 46.2 % and 32.7% young females and males who smoke water-pipe or hookah. The prevalence of smoking among underage, Al Akhbar wrote, is more staggering. Nearly 32.9% of young women against 40.9% of young men aged between 13-17 years, are current smokers (with an average of more than 36% of total underage), according to the Global School-Based Student Health Survey (GSHS) for 2017. Citing an earlier study by AUB, Al Akhbar also mentioned that Lebanon ranked first out of 68 countries around the world in terms of rates of water-pipe smokers’ among the young population. It pointed to different types of tobacco consumption by minors which made imperative to enter Medwakh pipes (Arabian product consisting of dried shredded tobacco mixed with herbs and spices) in the student targeted surveys. It said that respectively 2.7% and 6.7% of young males and females (aged 12 to 18) are current Medwakh smokers! On the subject, Rana Saleh, Advocacy and Evidence Lead Specialist at the Knowledge to Policy (K2P) Center, AUB, told Al Akhabr that smoking rates in Lebanon are alarming, adding that when a person starts nicotine intake at a young age, Saleh explained, he/she will develop other forms later on in life.  (For more, kindly review the following link: https://bit.ly/2NHfisV). (Al Akhbar, June 30, 2020)
 

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General Security new regulations on entry of foreigners

30-6-2020

The Directorate General of General Security yesterday issued a circular targeting foreign workers in Lebanon holding work permits, or permanent or annual work residency cards whose permits have expired during the period between 11/02/2020 up to a month from the date of the official reopening of Beirut International Airport, should, according to the circular, declare in writing, through the sponsor, that they are willing to renew their permits at the GS-Public Relations Department or at the concerned regional facility sustaining all legal consequences against the GS Directorate and the Lebanese authorities. As regards Arab nationals and foreigners holders of annual residency visas of all types who have stayed a period of 6 months outside the country (intermittently or continuously), they will be allowed to enter while keeping their residence cards, as of 18/10/2019 until 31/07/2020. For more info, kindly visit the GS link below: http://www.general-security.gov.lb. (Al Diyar, June 30, 2020)

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Food security in Lebanon difficult to attain 

29-6-2020

The minister of agriculture and culture, Abbas Mortada, voiced his concern yesterday over the deteriorating situation where daily bread has become like gold dust under a government unable to meet the demands of its people. Mortada was speaking during the graduation ceremony of some 100 students of the Agriculture School organized by the Lebanese Organization for Studies and Training (LOST) at the agricultural village in Baalbeck. We have set off with good intentions and sailed through crises, facing financial and economic breakdown, Mortada said. He pointed out that food security and food sovereignty have become harder to achieve in the absence of a strong founded national economy. “We have relied on a rentier, unsustainable and unproductive economic system,” he added. “But despite the difficult journey, the government is trying to invent solutions and provide services,” Mortada stated. He expressed disbelief over Lebanon’s signing of agreements to import certain agricultural commodities of which the sector suffers a surplus in production. Pledging to increase subsidized agricultural inputs, Mortada concluded by saying: “The ministry will regulate the importer-to-farmer distribution chain.” (Al Diyar, June 29, 2020)
 

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“Farmers Markets” to boost food security

26-6-2020

As part of initiatives to boost food security, Jihad Al Bina2 launched recently the “Farmers Market” project in the Southern Suburbs of Beirut, Tyre and Hermel areas to encourage farmer-to-consumer direct marketing. Speaking to Al Akhbar daily, the general director of Jihad Al Binaa, Mohamad Khansa, said the venture will begin with three markets as a first phase, revealing that the purpose is to help farmers who are actually the weakest and most vulnerable link in the food supply chain and to sustain food sovereignty as a fundamental part of national sovereignty. Khansa explained that Lebanon imports nearly 85% of its basic goods (80% of meats and livestock for slaughter; 50% of animal-based white products; 100% of yellow cheeses and butter and around 50% of fish and sea food). The fiscal policy, he stressed, has been hushing up the crisis, but now after the coronavirus, “everything has come into the open and we are at risk of a major food crisis,” as he said. Nonetheless, Khansa added, the ordeal was an eye opener for many, raising societal awareness on seeking food sovereignty in the place of fast profit and consumption behavior. Food, he maintained, is not an ordinary commodity, but rather a political security one that cannot be subject to supply and demand. In other words, in food terms, one cannot afford to choose low-cost import over high-cost production. Bottom line, basic crops are sovereign commodities that are not benchmarked according to economic profit only. In conclusion, Khansa disclosed that Jihad al Bina2 and Hezbollah have tried to lobby the state to actively take part in increasing grain production, but their attempts were hampered by bureaucratic difficulties. He added that available areas for cultivation, can go a long way towards self-sufficiency and food security if a clear agro-food strategy is adopted, and thus loosen Lebanon dependency on international trade. In conclusion, it is worth mentioning that currently, and on average, the share of a single Lebanese farmer out of each LBP 1000 paid for any kind of vegetables or fruit is a mere LBP 190. (For more, kindly refer to the following link: https://bit.ly/3hZJ9L7). (Al Akhbar, June 25, 2020)
 
 

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Reactivating national food safety campaign

25-6-2020

The minister of health, Hamad Hassan, held a meeting on June 22, a first with health inspectors, to discuss a mechanism to activate the Food Safety Campaign with the opening of the tourism season. Hassan urged health observers to be honest and professional in order to protect the health of the Lebanese and uphold the country’s touristic repute. He threatened to take direct punitive measures against any violating inspector or employee. The minister also said he was keen on providing the required expediencies for inspectors to deliver effective work. He stressed that he will follow up daily through updated and documented reports, calling on appointed district doctors to observe proper implementation of health control directions. (Al Diyar, June 23, 2020)

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Lebanese-Japanese cooking agreement to create 5,000 jobs!

25-6-2020

The secretary general of the Syndicate of Owners of Restaurants, Cafes, Nightclubs and Pastries in Lebanon, Aref Saadeh, said a series of meetings are in the works between labor minister, Lamia Yammin, tourism minister, Ramsey Msharafieh and the Japanese Embassy on the one hand and the Syndicate to finalize a mutual agreement that will create thousands of jobs for the Lebanese. The agreement will allow the Syndicate to send young Lebanese men and women to train in Japan in the industry of Asian, specifically Japanese cuisine. This reportedly will generate around 5000 employment opportunities for Lebanese workforce thus covering the needs of some 230 Japanese eateries in Lebanon. Saadeh was speaking during a meeting held yesterday with the Japanese Restaurants’ Committee to discuss emerging obstacles in relation to foreign labor and imported raw materials with the ongoing dollar exchange rate crisis. (Al Diyar, June 25, 2020)

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Food security a hoax without the Litani basin

24-6-2020

In its issue of today, Al Akbar newspaper wrote that Lebanese officials are busy talking about food security, while overlooking the urgency of salvaging the Litani River from the waste waterways flowing from nearby households, factories and farms. At the same time, they are negligent about protecting their agricultural basins through adjusting the parameters and preventing any change to land classification. The newspaper stressed that it is not possible to look into any food security strategy without treating the polluted waters of the Qaroun Lake. Over and above, the Litani irrigation projects are now threatened to discontinue due to environmental and funding difficulties. According to Al Akhbar, the Litani River Authority currently invests in three irrigation systems, namely (Qasimiyeh, Saida and Jezzine, in addition to the irrigation plan for South West Bekaa area), but the Lebanese state opts, as always, to prioritise import at the expense of sustainable development solutions. Like for example, the government is faltering in the implementation of the law stipulating the allocation of funds for land expropriation in the Litani basin from the source to the river mouth at a value of LBP 1100. The government also wavers in implementing a scheme to reduce Qaroun pollution based on a loan agreement of USD 55 million with the World Bank for Reconstruction and Development. Speaking to Al Akhbar, the director of the Litani River Authority, Sammy Alawiyeh, voiced his fear that the first phase of the project might not be completed by 2021. The said project is anticipated to irrigate around 13,000 hectares benefiting 102 villages and towns in the area. Alawiyeh stressed the role the Arab and Kuwaiti Funds in funding the second phase as well. “We cannot discuss food security in the gutter,” he concluded. For more, kindly review the following link: https://bit.ly/383AmmM). (Al Akhbar, June 23, 2020)
 

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Physicians ask cabinet to revoke decision on shisha

23-6-2020

The president of the Order of Physicians in Beirut, Sharaf Abu Sharaf, said during his June 19 press conference that the tourism ministry’s decision to allow hookah services at Lebanese restaurants and cafes (https://bit.ly/2V9lEWa) in the time of corona has confused the medical, social and youth circles. He underlined the need to continue to disallow the use of shisha in public places, requesting a stricter observance of the No Smoking Law. Similarly, the Consumer Protection department outlined in a statement, the grave health risks associated with smoking and the risk of infection with coronavirus, to say nothing about the act of sharing various parts and accessories of the hookah itself. This jeopardizes social distancing and health standards while contributing to reducing the immune responsiveness and increasing the risk of respiratory infection, the statement explained. The latter called on the minister of tourism to reverse his decision immediately to prevent undermining health efforts taken so far to confront Covid-19. In response to the Consumer Protection statement, the Syndicate of Owners of Restaurants pointed out that smoking in closed touristic venues is unlawful, cautioning that smoking will be allowed outdoors only with the application of stringent precautions. The Consumer Protection department has more important matters to take care of… the tourism sector is our subject and we know better what is good for the industry…. ( Al Diyar, June 21, 2020)

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