Oman ups inspections, controls on fruits and vegetables after UAE ban

Oman is upping inspections and introducing stricter controls on fruits and vegetables imported or exported from the sultanate following a ban on some Omani produce by the UAE.

Last month, the UAE announced a ban on select fruits and vegetables from Middle Eastern countries including melons, carrots and watercress from Oman.

Read: UAE to ban produce from select Middle East countries in May

This was due to harmful levels of pesticide residue found in some samples.

Times of Oman quoted Haitham Khlafan Al Akhzami, deputy director of the Ministry of Regional Municipalities, as confirming a certificate indicating pesticide percentage would have to be submitted with all produce imports and exports.

He said the ministry was also increasing its inspections of fruits and vegetables.

Earlier also, we used to check, but now we have become stricter,” he told the publication.

The country’s Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries has also opened a phone line for residence and citizens to report high pesticide levels at farms.

Al Akhzami also encouraged people to wash fruits and vegetables before consumption.

He went on to say that trained professionals should only apply pesticides.

Oman had previously stated that 98 per cent of its sampled produce was within international pesticide limits.

Read: Oman says 98% of produce within pesticide limits after UAE ban