The tourism and agriculture committee convened on Friday under MP Ayoub Hmayid and with the presence of agriculture minister Ghazi Zeiater to discuss the situation of the sector in light of the recent standoff in export to some Arab states of the Lebanese banana, potato, citrus and apples. The meeting tackled hindrances that basically require political interventions as well as direct negotiations with the importing countries, as noted in the statement issued by the end of the session. The statement also called for concerted government-led efforts to revive the agricultural sector. Additionally, the committee discussed matters related to supporting the sector and the development of a clear agricultural policy in response to the suffering of farmers who grieve the absence of a clear strategy to this effect. Participants also discussed the general policy of the ministry of agriculture and an in-depth study of it in the next two weeks, the statement added, hoping a solution to the export impasse will see light soon. (Al Diyar, November 4, 2017)