Illustrative photo (Photo:pellito)
Hanoi (VNA) - The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) has allowed importing peanuts from India, after a temporary suspension due to invasive pest concerns.
Under the ministry’s Decision No 118/QD-BNN-BVTV, from January 18, the Department of Plant Protection added Indian peanuts to the list of regulated items subject to pest risk analysis, before being cleared for import into Vietnam.
The imported items have to abide by the standard operation procedure and contents stipulated on the certificate of plant quarantine for import, granted by the department, and issued by the Indian National Plant Protection Organisation (NPPO).
The department is requested to strengthen quarantine measures on peanuts imported from India, in order that no unregulated nuts enter the country.
Earlier on February 6, 2015, the ministry suspended the import of peanuts from India after detecting the Caryedon serratus olivier, or Groundnut beetle, in imported shipments.
The Groundnut beetle, most commonly associated with peanuts, is included in the Group I category of harmful organisms that may cause serious damage to plants. It has not been found in Vietnam.-VNA
