New Zealand’s Ministry of Primary industries admitted that the suspension of the four products - papaya, eggplant, breadfruit and mangoes from Fiji - was a wrong step to take.
This has been confirmed by the Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum in parliament today after government MP Alvick Maharaj asked the Attorney General on the banning of four of the products and what measures have been put in place to improve operational measures that has caused the suspension.
Sayed-Khaiyum said when the four products were suspended, Fiji immediately wrote to the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries and within a day, personnel from New Zealand held a meeting in Fiji.
He said a day after the meeting, the suspension was lifted.
Sayed-Khaiyum added that what also transpired out of the meeting was that the proper lines of communication was not followed.
He said the relationship between the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries and the Biosecurity of Fiji is now on track.
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