The UAE, through its Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, has allegedly decided to stop the import of some vegetables and fruits from the Kingdom of Jordan. Jordanian producers believe that this decision would be a major blow to the country's economy.
Some Jordanian newspapers and websites have reported that the UAE has decided to stop the import of some vegetables and fruits from Jordan, starting from mid-May. Information circulated over the weekend indicated that the reported ban was put in place due to increasing levels of chemical pesticide residues in Jordan's agricultural products. The list of banned products includes courgettes, sweet peppers, cabbage, lettuce, aubergines, cauliflower and green beans. "Other vegetables not included in the list would continue to be allowed, although they would first have to be certified with a pesticide residue analysis."
For his part, Adnan Khaddam, Chairman of the Jordan Valley Farmers Union, said that the decision issued by the UAE is a blow to Jordanian agriculture, as the UAE is the first market for Jordanian agricultural products at present, following the closure of borders with neighbouring countries.
In any case, Nimr Haddadin, spokesman for the Jordanian Ministry of Agriculture, stated that the Ministry has actually not received any official communication regarding this decision and that they are seeking official confirmation of the reports.
Source: ar.wikiarabia.net