Muscat: Omanis are calling for stricter inspections of major fruit and vegetable farms in the country after several fruits and vegetables shipments have been found to contain unsafe levels of insecticides.
Last week, UAE authorities rejected a vegetable shipment from Oman, saying it contained unacceptable levels of insecticides, according to Oman’s Ministry of Climate Change and Environment.
Vegetable consignments are not allowed to enter the UAE until they have received approval certificates proving the goods meet the health and safety standards from Omani authorities.
It was reported that the truck drivers responsible for the shipment gave false information about the vegetables in order to obtain the health certificates from the Wajajah border post in the Shinas province.
Oman’s Ministry of Agriculture verified that the spoiled shipment of vegetables, over 200 tonnes, was destroyed by Omani authorities, after being rejected by UAE authorities.
“This is a clear violation of the quarantine law,” said the ministry statement.
The drivers defended themselves saying that they were unaware the produce contained high levels of insecticides.
The ministry has referred those responsible to the public prosecution for further investigation.
Last week, authorities seized large amounts of insecticides being used on some Omani farms.
Last month, tonnes of vegetables and fruits were destroyed after high amounts of insecticides were discovered.
