No approval to import vegetables that can be grown in our country – Minister Amaraweera

Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera says that the import of vegetables will not be allowed until the quarantine is in the hands of the Agriculture Ministry.

Quarantine certificates for imported vegetables, fruits, meat and eggs are issued by the Quarantine Unit under the Ministry of Agriculture. Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said that until the Agriculture Ministry has the right to approve quarantine certificates, no approval will be given to import any vegetables that can be grown in our country.

The Minister went to observe a Finger Millet (Kurakkan) cultivated by farmers in the Weragolla area of Matale on Saturday (5).

The Minister observed a fertile Kurakkan plantation cultivated under minimum water facilities in 365 acres of fallow paddy fields in Matale district. The farmers asked the Minister at the discussion whether the Government has decided to import Kurakkan from abroad.

The Minister replied that the annual requirement of Kurakkan in our country is 10,000 metric tons and that we expect a harvest of more than 7,000 metric tons this year. Therefore, there is no need to import Kurakkan.

Also, the farmers asked the Minister whether the Government is ready to import vegetables that can be grown in the country such as cucumbers, pumpkins and Okra from abroad.

The Minister said that the Agriculture Ministry has the authority to issue quarantine certificates. If we import vegetables, fruits, meat and eggs, we have to issue quarantine certificates. There is no shortage of vegetables in this country. According to the decision of the Cabinet of Ministers, the Government released over 300 items which had been prohibited from importation until now. That list may include vegetables. However, it does not mean that she allowed importing vegetables.

“However, quarantine certificates are issued by the Ministry of Agriculture under me. Therefore, I do not allow the import of any vegetables that grow and can be cultivated in this country. We grow enough vegetables in this country”. The Minister also assured that no farmer should have any unwarranted fear in that regard.