The implementation of a 12-year-old law on fruit and vegetable imports that has never been properly enforced has been delayed until after Ramadan.

Under the law, which was enacted in 2003, importers are obliged to provide the authorities with a full 12-month schedule of planned imports from certified suppliers, said a report in the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.

Fruit and vegetable importers will also be required to supply certificates of origin or a health clearance certificate with every order coming into the country.

The business community feared the law would create a bureaucratic headache if fully implemented, and raised the issue to the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) food and agriculture committee last week.

The committee since then has taken up the issue with Works, Municipalities and Urban Planning Affairs Ministry Agriculture and Marine Resources Under-Secretary Shaikh Khalifa bin Isa Al Khalifa.

“It has been decided to extend the grace period for importing fruit and vegetables without a Vegetable Health Certificate or certificate of origin until after Ramadan,” read a document signed by Shaikh Khalifa and addressed to BCCI food and agriculture sector committee chairman Khalid Al Amin.

“The new procedure for fruit and vegetables will take effect on July 22.

“This means that no fruit of vegetable imports will be allowed from July 22 unless accompanied with the required certificates.” - TradeArabia News Service