Regulating imported potatoes

New rules for imported potatoes highlight phytosanitary measures

The Ministry of Agriculture issued new regulations for imported potatoes. The decision only applies to potato tubers ready to be marketed.

The regulations state that imported potatoes are subject to the requirements specified by the Lebanese standards institution, LIBNOR, with the exception of specifications related to the sizes of the tubers.

The regulations specify that the size of each potato tuber must not be less than 45 mm. It said that each consignment of potatoes must be tested for mold diseases before being admitted into the country. If a consignment was proven to be carrying diseases, it would not be allowed to enter the country.

The regulations state that potato loads transported by land may only be admitted through the Masnaa border.

Each consignment must have a phytosanitary certificate issued by the relevant authorities in the country of origin in compliance with the guidelines drafted by the International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM).

The loads must also have a certificate confirming that the vegetables are free from mold diseases and that they were cultivated in a region free from those diseases.