News

BAF clamps down on questionable fruit

July 28, 2016 5:26 pm

The Biosecurity Authority has detained a consignment of tissue cultures at Nadi International Airport for failing to meet import requirements.

The Authority confirms the consignment of Banana and Pineapple tissues were brought in by the Pacific Community Centre for Pacific Crops and Trees.

BAF says permit conditions were not met and false declarations were made where a Research Permit was used to seek biosecurity clearance for a commercial consignment.

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The Authority is conducting an internal investigation into how the import permit was issued with no risk assessment carried out.

The consignment is detained at the Nadi International Airport and will be reshipped to the country of origin on the next immediate flight.

Importers are required to comply with import requirements in order to prevent entry of any pests and diseases which may have devastating impact on the livelihoods of Fijians.