By Agnes M. Abrau
Horizon news staff

The agreement that would formalize the importation of fruits from the Philippines to Palau has to be re-drafted as some of the issues in the proposed Memorandum of Agreement should only be between Palau and the Philippines.
Bureau of Agriculture Fernando “Fred” Sengebau said Minister of State Temmy Shmull objected the agreement that mentions about New Zealand and the Philippines’ Plant Protection Organization on specific requirements for the export of fresh foods.
“The minister said that Palau is an independent country. As such, the agreement should only be between Palau and the Philippines and not be referring to New Zealand’s conditions in terms of fresh foods,” Sengebau said.
Sengebau added the New Zealand requirements for importation are to be deleted but the conditions of entry remain.
These conditions included shipment of mango and papaya must be accompanied by a Phytosanitary certificate, certifying that shipment of mango and papaya are products from Stanfilco Dole Company in Davao, Philippines and have met all the requirements outlined in the Import Health Standard Commodity Sub-class. Said shipment must also be accompanied by a copy of the Plant and Animal Quarantine Permit.
In the draft, fresh fruits are permitted in Palau under the same strict conditions outlined in the Bilateral Quarantine Agreements between New Zealand and the Philippines. New Zealand is known to have the one of the best quarantine regulations in the world.
Sengebau said the MOA may be signed early next year.