Import permits revised

 THE Government has revised the conditions and procedures for the issuance of permits to import fresh vegetables, following strong complaints from the business community and public.

However, the reforms will not be implemented for another three months to allow businesses “to become better acquainted” with them.

New import permits will then be issued.

In the meantime, the ban on imported fresh vegetables remains except for bulb onions, capsicum and tomatoes and only one company is allowed to bring these in.

A joint statement by Prime Minister Peter O’Neill and Agriculture and Livestock Minister Tommy Tomscoll yesterday said the Government had taken on the views of business in providing the “extension”, and that ultimately the introduction of the new system would boost agricultural production.

In supporting the ban, O’Neill said the country had capable farmers and small businesses in agriculture but they could not compete with foreign imports.

“We are levelling the playing field and creating new opportunities for our SMEs involved in food production,” he said, but added that the ban should be implemented in a structured way.

“In the coming months, preparations will be made for the new system to come into full effect.

“We will do this in a structured way so that foreign producers will be able to familiarise themselves with the new system, and new import permits will be awarded.”

Tomscoll has been under fire for imposing the ban on Aug 12 without warning and consultation.

On Nov 10, he varied the ban to allow for the import of bulb onions, tomatoes and capsicum but approved only Gryph Holdings Ltd to do so, drawing protests from other companies, business organisations and the public.

Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive officer David Conn welcomed the O’Neill’s comments, saying that there had to be a better way of doing it than the current situation.

“The current situation is a travesty,” he said.

PNG Chamber of Commerce and Industry president John Leahy urged O’Neill to lift the restrictions and let the market work to supply what the people needed.

O’Neill said during the three-month moratorium, there would be further consultations with farmers, wholesalers and retailers to improve supply chains and with airlines to transport produce within the country more efficiently.

He said the Highlands could grow some of the best and most nutritious fruits and vegetables in the world.

“We have to improve our supply chains to get these to the markets in other centres.”

O’Neill commended Tomscoll’s efforts to strengthen the agriculture sector and empower the farmers to compete against imports.

“The new import measures will further enhance our biosecurity in Papua New Guinea through better co-ordination of import channels.

“We have fruit and vegetable imports that are being ordered through Australia but are coming from third and fourth countries with lower standards.

“Just as Australia and New Zealand are very careful in scrutinising the import of food, we must also be vigilant to prevent the introduction of pests and plant diseases,” he said, pointing to the cocoa pod borer in East New Britain and Bougainville. 

He added that there would be further announcements on this system and ongoing stakeholder engagement in the coming months.                                                    

Earlier, at a press conference, O’Neill acknowledged the ongoing debate over the ban and said the minster had agreed to be make an announcement soon about the new approach.

“All we want to do is to encourage Papua New Guineans to grow vegetables as we cannot continue to import vegetables forever instead something we could grow in our own land,” he said.