14 Aug 2015

New Zealand lifts suspension of Fiji fruit imports

4:07 pm on 14 August 2015

New Zealand's Ministry for Primary Industries says the lifting of a temporary suspension on Fiji vegetable and fruit imports is an important outcome for both countries.

The ban imposed a week ago stopped the export of eggplants, breadfruit, mangoes and papaya because of New Zealand concerns over Fiji's anti-fruit fly procedures.

New Zealand's Ministry for Primary Industries said no fruit flies had been detected, but Fiji was not always meeting the minimum time and temperature requriements to ensure that wouldn't happen.

It says the Biosecurity Authority of Fiji has since provided evidence on updated systems and procedures it will use to ensure export product meets New Zealand's minimum requirements.

MPI says it is a satisfying outcome given the importance of trade for both countries.

Fiji's Minister of Public Enterprises, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, says he's happy New Zealand's concerns about biosecurity have been quickly resolved.

He says the suspension should never have happened because Fiji has always taken biosecurity very seriously.

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