More welcoming of border closure and demands for further tightening measures

In a special feature on the recent decision of the Ministry of Agriculture to halt the entry of Syrian fruits and vegetables into Lebanon, As Safir daily reported that the prices and marketing of such products have remained unchanged. This development largely dissipates earlier fears of consumers and merchants in this regard, according to the owner one vegetable shop on the Hasbani main road. Likewise, Rabi’ Harfush from Marjeyoon, expressed his satisfaction with the minister’s “right” decision to protect domestic production, as he described it, and its positive implication on the agricultural sector. The newspaper carried similar reactions from heads of agricultural cooperatives, notably the olive and olive oil producers, who considered that theses measure by putting an end to unlawful foreign competition will surely offer protection to the sector, and urged the ministry not to back down under any pressure. For his part, the head of the Syndicate of Apple and Fruit Tree Growers in Lebanon, Fuad Nasr, criticized what he termed “the media campaign launched against Shehayeb by some political circles under the so-called National Gathering of Agricultural Committees.” This campaign, Nasr alleged, serves the interests of a few Lebanese and Syrian traders who seek to drown the local market with Syrian made goods. He appealed to agricultural unions to be more supportive of the interests of farmers and candidly offer proposals and practical solutions to the crisis of agriculture. “Our only criticism of Shehayeb’s move is not its boldness, rather it is his holding back from asking agricultural bodies to adjust the decision in order to gain the trust of citizens,” Nasr explained. He called for further measures namely: modify the present Lebanese-Syrian trade agreement; develop an exceptional agricultural calendar that will regulate trade exchange between the two neighboring countries; take all necessary steps to control the open borders, put an end to smuggling activities and close illegal crossings; and finally activate the role of quarantine health centers on the border to ensure the safety of agricultural goods entering Lebanon. (As Safir, Al Mustaqbal, June 22 and 23, 2016)