AMMAN: Jordan is all set to resume vegetable export to Saudi Arabia after a span of around 20 years, local reports said, citing Falah Awamleh, director of licensing and border crossing centers at Jordan's Ministry of Agriculture. He said Saudi Arabia has allowed the entry of local vegetables to the Saudi market under certain conditions. "The decision was taken after a series of meetings with Saudi officials who stressed that Jordanian vegetables entering their country should undergo mandatory testing to make sure that they do not have excessive levels of pesticides," Awamleh said, The Jordan Times reported Thursday. He added that the Minister of Agriculture Samir Habashneh will meet next week with local producers and exporters, who wish to export vegetables to Saudi Arabia, to discuss the new requirements and the mechanism the ministry will apply for produce allowed to enter Saudi Arabia. Rula Mubeidin, the ministry's spokesperson, said Saudi Arabia was the largest importer of Jordanian vegetables 20 years ago, noting that Saudi authorities stopped importing local vegetables due to concerns that they have excessive levels of chemical pesticides. "Saudi officials used to argue that Jordanian farmers use large amounts of chemical fertilizers and pesticides," she said, adding that Saudis also complained about irrigation methods used in certain farms located near factories and water treatment plants. Mubeidin further said in order to change this perspective about Jordanian vegetables, the ministry organized field visits for Saudi traders to several vegetable farms in various parts of the country. The agriculture ministry recently adopted a new mechanism, in cooperation with the private sector, to regulate the export of fruit and vegetables. Called the "Golden List", the new mechanism entails granting export permits to farmers and traders whose fruits and vegetables meet international standards. Under the mechanism, all local agricultural produce will undergo intensive mandatory testing at the ministry's labs before being sold in the local market or exported to other countries. Meanwhile, experts have called for stricter enforcement of water-related laws and regulations, to better protect Jordan's dwindling water resources during a workshop organized by the Public Action in Water, Energy and Environment Project.
