Agriculture Officer in the Plant protection and Quarantine Unit, Dayan Abraham is reminding the public that persons who wish to import any agricultural products must follow the established process and  apply for an import permit.

Abraham said that this applies to but is not limited to apples, grapes, cantaloupe, pears, potatoes and seeds.

She said that the department has to conduct a pest risk analysis in order to list import requirements for the product. “I am encouraging anyone who intends to bring in any agricultural product to first contact the Plant Protection and Quarantine Unit, find out what are the necessary documents that you need and please try to help the ministry protect our country from invasive species”, she said.

Meanwhile, Dr. Natalia Lugay of the Livestock Development Unit says that persons must visit the Botanical Gardens and pay the import permit in order to import meat. Persons must know the quantity of the meat expected as well as where it is coming from and the type of product. It is not enough to just say pork for eg, one needs to be able to say whether it is bacon or pork slabs that he is importing.

Application forms may be found on the website of the Ministry of Agriculture and also at the Plant Protection and Livestock Development Units at the Botanical Gardens. The completed form may be emailed to [email protected]. Persons requiring further information may contact the department at 2663802.