Government has lifted the ban on the export of vegetables to the European Union.
This was after the European Union threatened to sanction Ghana over worm-infested vegetables to European markets.
Government subsequently banned vegetable exports, a situation which some of the farmers, exporters and carrier airlines complained was impacting negatively on their businesses.
Stakeholders involved in the export of vegetables today met to be briefed about new measures to forestall future occurrence.
General Secretary of the Association of Vegetable Exporters, Daniel Aladi told Citi Business news following the lifting of the Plant Quarantine Division said “they were going to ensure that what we (Ghana) send this time around will not receive notifications from the EU.”
Daniel Aladi indicated the lifting of the ban will however not result in the immediate resumption of exports at peak levels. This is because, “all farms that are currently under cultivation, will not be allowed for exports.”
According to him, “they want the farmers that grow the vegetables to be trained and also to build the capacity of district agriculture extension officers to be able to assist these farmers.”
Daniel Aladi added that “There is going to be very strict monitoring of the activities of the vegetable farmers so that once harvest comes from these new fields that are now going to be cultivated, they will allow such produce to be exported.”
He indicated the training will done by agricultural extension officers, and be supported by a nongovernmental Organisation, PlantWise and GIZ. However, Plant Protection & Regulatory Services will play the lead role in the training of the officers.
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By: Anim Kwaku Boadu/citifmonline.com/Ghana