Agriculture minister calls off decision to stop agriculture imports from Syria

The agriculture minister, Akram Shehayeb, has called off a week ago an earlier decision issued on June 9 halting the import of vegetables, fruits and similar products from Syria until the end of 2017 (http://bit.ly/2aBdRaC), stating its countless adverse repercussions on local farmers. Justifying the decision, Shehayeb explained that banning the entry of agricultural goods from the neighbouring country has failed to protect Lebanese farmers and local production, and has, as well, stepped up smuggling activities along the borders with total disregard from the security authorities. Speaking to Al Jumhuriyah newspaper, Shehayeb said he has released a new directive to regulate exports which require an import permit on products coming from Syria, supplemented with the necessary laboratory tests to prevent any potential health hazards on citizens. The minister made clear that prior licenses apply only to products that are needed here in Lebanon. As such, he said, licenses would not be given for example for olive oil, white cheeses, apples, grapes or potatoes, as domestic production is sufficient to meet local demand. He pointed out that the issue of licensing is seasonal and depends on market needs, stressing that determining what kind of goods that should not be allowed into the country is done in collaboration with the relevant agricultural cooperatives and syndicates. In a related vein, minister Shehayeb revealed that Lebanese industrialists wishing to export their products to Syria are facing difficulties and provocation in an angry reaction to the earlier decision from the Lebanese side, while, he added, illegal border crossings have flourished, especially in Akkar and Hermel. Immense quantities of made-in-Syria goods enter daily in the absence of security control, Shehayeb maintained, disclosing that Customs authorities have been notified of the new decision. (L'Orient Le Jour, The Daily Star, September 7, 2016)

 

Previous related news: 

Syrian objection to the banning of fruit and vegetables imports to Lebanon

http://www.weeportal-lb.org/news/syrian-objection-banning-fruit-and-vegetables-imports-lebanon

Lebanese exports fall by 30% because of trouble in exporting to Syria

http://www.weeportal-lb.org/news/lebanese-exports-fall-30-because-trouble-exporting-syria

Can unilateral protectionism save Lebanon’s declining agricultural sector?

http://www.weeportal-lb.org/news/can-unilateral-protectionism-save-lebanon%E2%80%99s-declining-agricultural-sector