Zambia gets tough on SA perishable imports

Stringent new measures in place RAY SMUTS ZAMBIA’S STRINGENT new measures on food safety and quality assurance are behind the cessation last week of certain South African fresh produce imports into the country. According to the Zambian department of agriculture, fresh fruit and vegetables imported from South Africa must undergo tests for quality and plant health in Lusaka in order to establish its safety for human consumption. Safety certificates are issued for imported shipments as proof they have been checked and comply with certain requirements. Earlier, in the first incident of its kind, minister of agriculture Mundia Sikatana placed an embargo on the importation of 150 000 tons of maize from South Africa until it had been certified as safe for humans.