VN suspends Australian fruit imports

VGP – Viet Nam would temporarily suspend the import of Australian fruits as it concerns about fruit fly, said Nguyen Xuan Hong, Director of the Plant Protection Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

December 18, 2014 11:25 AM GMT+7

According to Mr. Hong, all 38 Australian fresh varieties named in the list for import to Viet Nam would be temporarily suspended since January 1, 2015.

Viet Nam had informed the Australian authorities of the suspension 60 days before the effective day, which is in line with international rules, said the Director.

As for Australian fruit shipments being on the way to arrive in Viet Nam, the Plant Protection Department has required quarantine agencies at border gates to strengthen scrutiny, he said.

The Director also informed that Viet Nam would reopen its door for fresh fruits from Australia as soon as this country controls the fruit fly outbreak.

Statistics showed that Viet Nam imported more than 2,000 tons of Australian fresh fruits -- mostly apple, pear, grape and cherry in the first ten months of this year./.

By Kim Loan