Of one’s own making

Jordanian fruit and vegetable growers are up in arms against the abrupt decision of the UAE and other Gulf Arab countries to impose a ban on their products due to the presence of high levels of pesticide residues.

Clearly the enforcement of the ban will cost them dearly as the market for their produce is limited, and they have counted on the Gulf states to continue importing it.

No doubt other importing states will take note of the Gulf countries’ decision and may follow the suit.

Jordanian producers suggested a delay in enforcing the ban.

As much as one sympathises with the plight of vegetable and fruit growers, who seem to have been caught off guard, they cannot expect importing countries to relax rules that protect the health of their citizens. 

Arab Gulf countries are giving the health of their citizens the highest priority and no one can blame them for doing so.

The crisis could have been averted if the concerned Jordanian authorities and the affected farmers had paid more attention to this concern and did what was expected of them in the first place: make sure that their produce conforms with strict health standards.

Responsibility for this crisis lies on the shoulders of both government and farmers for not enforcing proper standards and for their slack attention to the rules.

Now the produce will be dumped in the local market and Jordanians will end up eating products unfit for human consumption.

Maybe a fund can be created to compensate farmers affected by different factors, at least for their direct expenses.

Responsibility for this problem is collective and all stakeholders must share in funding this temporary scheme.

Concerned authorities that did nothing to prevent the crisis should be held responsible, for they were obviously not doing their job properly.

It should not take took a warning from other countries to work professionally.