Fiji seeks answers to NZ import ban

Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, Fiji's Attorney-General

Photo: RNZ / Republika

The Fiji government says it will be meeting with New Zealand officials this week to try and resolve what it calls an unjustified suspension of agricultural imports.
Fiji has objected to New Zealand's decision to suspend eggplant, mango, breadfruit and papaya imports from Fiji, saying the decision is extreme.
The Fiji Department of Information says New Zealand's Ministry of Primary Industries has acknowledged to that the broad suspension of agricultural imports from Fiji is inappropriate.The Minister for Public Enterprises, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum says a meeting will be held this week, and Fiji will make a formal request for the suspension to be lifted.
He says the government is pleased that the New Zealand authorities have moved quickly and want to work with Fiji to bring the matter to an end.
Mr Sayed-Khaiyum says given Fiji's stringent adherence to international biosecurity standards for both imports and exports, they have every reason to believe that the matter will be settled quickly, and that the suspended Fijian produce will be once again on its way to New Zealand.

Source: Radio New Zealand International