Laws prohibit importing products with micro-organisms
Liquid organic fertiliser importation to continue
By Yumiko Perera Despite Cabinet approval to import organic fertiliser, the Government last week decided to suspend the import of organic compost fertiliser. State Minister of Production and Supply of Fertiliser and the Regulation of Chemical Fertiliser and Insecticide Use Mohan Priyadarshana told The Sunday Morning that the decision was made after taking into account that imported organic compost fertiliser may contain waste materials, as well as to promote domestic production of organic fertiliser. “Compost fertiliser is a type of organic fertiliser, but we have decided to temporarily suspend the import of organic compost fertiliser after taking into account that it may contain certain bacteria and toxins, and the importation of products with micro-organisms is prohibited under the Plant Protection Act as well,” he explained. Further highlighting that liquid organic fertiliser would still be allowed to be imported, the State Minister went on to say: “The main aim behind this move is to promote the local production of organic fertiliser and make farmers and the industry self-sufficient.”According to Priyadarshana, local organic fertiliser production has increased after the Government decided to ban the importation of chemical fertiliser. Meanwhile, speaking with The Sunday Morning, All Ceylon Farmers Federation National Organiser Namal Karunaratne said: “The Government has failed to issue the fertiliser stocks in the country to the farmers and they are busy making one misguided policy decision after another.”Attempts made by The Sunday Morning to contact Agriculture Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage proved futile.
