Oman announces curbs on date palm imports

A decision banning the import of date palms with specific exceptions has been issued, as Oman moves to protect local crops from disease and contamination.

The Ministry of Agriculture has released a Decision, 195/2017, to ban the import of date palms, their dates, produce, ornamental cuttings, and all of their vegetative parts, with three exceptions that allow for the import of the trees. 

Imports may be made for research purposes, after seeking approval from the Minister, the recommendation of the Directorate General of Agricultural and Animal Research, and an import permit from the Directorate General for Agricultural Development.

Items with palm tree dates, produce, or ornamental cuttings may be allowed within closed food items (In Vitro), provided they are imported in accordance with the conditions specified in the decision. Import of date palm seedlings may be made if they are produced in industrial, chemically or thermally treated plants. The seedlings cannot contain sand, natural soil or organic matter, and must be produced in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.

The Decision also prohibits the export of 17 types of dates, with the exception of certain conditions that allow farmers to export date palm cuttings.

The farmers may only export palm date cuttings that don’t belong to the 17 types listed, and must have prior approval from the export country. The farmer must also receive approval from the Directory of Agricultural Development for the type of cutting he means to export, and cannot export the tree as a whole.

It also bans the transfer of date palm trees, their dates, produce, and vegetative parts from agricultural quarantine areas, unless the transfer is within the same area of quarantine. The transferred trees must also be treated with the recommended pesticides, and under the supervision of specialists.

Date palm trees may also be transferred into agricultural quarantine areas after obtaining permission from the Directory of Agricultural Development.

Finally, farm owners and farmers of date palm trees must carry out agricultural operations recommended by the Ministry to control harmful pests, and cooperate with Ministry staff through prevention programmes. Any violators in the terms of the Decision will be liable to a fine of no more than OMR1,000, and the plant life in violation may be destroyed at the expense of the violator.