The United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) ministry of climate change and environment has decided to stop importing produce from four Arab countries, including Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, and Oman, for the pesticide residue levels detected in the vegetables and deemed to be higher than the safe standard approved by the state. The decision was based on the results of tests carried out by the Emirati ministry on the imported produce and is set to come into effect starting on 15 May. Last month, Sudan decided to stop importing agricultural goods and canned fish from Egypt. In September 2016, Sudan also imposed a ban on importing fruits and vegetables from Egypt, causing losses of nearly $30m, according to the data by the Egypt Agriculture Export Council. Other countries have halted or completely stopped importing fruits and vegetables from Egypt over the past period, including Russia, Japan, the USA, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait.

Source: Daily News Egypt April 26, 2017 15:00 UTC