Dubai: The UAE has lifted the ban on imports of fruits and vegetables from Jordan, the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) announced on Thursday.
Previously banned produce from Jordan included pepper, cabbage, lettuce, squash, beans, eggplant and flowers.
The announcement came following the visit of Dr Thani Ahmad Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, to Jordan during which Dr Khalid Hanifat, Jordanian Minister of Agriculture, briefed him on the measures taken by his government to ensure the safety of agricultural products.
The lifting of the ban is subject to the condition that the shipments of imported agricultural products carry official certificates of analysis confirming the absence of pesticide residues in accordance with the standards adopted in the UAE.
Furthermore, the shipments of agricultural products should be accompanied by phytosanitary certificates confirming that the consignments come from farms certified for good agricultural practices, organic farms or farms that apply 100 per cent biological pest control without using chemical pesticides.
The MOCCAE analyses pesticide residues in all fresh produce and processed food in line with best international standards.
Laboratories in the UAE have the capacity to analyse multiple samples simultaneously, producing timely results, and supporting prompt and accurate decision-making on consignments that violate safety rules and regulations.
The ministry said it spares no effort to provide healthy and safe food to consumers in line with global best practices and the objectives of the UAE Vision 2021 National Agenda.
It also said that it works relentlessly to ensure that all foodstuffs and food products in the country, both domestically produced and imported, are safe for consumption.
