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<span style="font-weight: bold">Ministry brings the Internet to importing</span>
<span style="font-style: italic">Published: Saturday | December 20, 2008</span>
The Ministry of Agriculture is in the process of developing an automated trace system for the electronic processing of import permits and export phytosanitary certificates.
"We are now at the end of the pilot phase for the import aspect of it and we are looking to fully implement this by January 2009," said Shelia Harvey, chief plant quarantine produce inspector at the Ministry of Agriculture.
Easier process
"This process is easier when someone is able to go online and go to the ministry's website, which is www.moa.gov.jm, and go to the section that says 'import inspection' or 'import permit'," she added.
The inspector emphasised that the new measures would facilitate trade, because not only was it easier for prospective importers but the ministry's job would be made easier as well.
"We will be better able to have a hold on what is coming in and what is prohibited. We are able to go online and issue permits, what they are for, who is bringing in the items and see where exactly they are coming from," Harvey explained.
She pointed out that, currently, there was a hold on certain locally grown vegetables such as cabbage, tomato and carrot, "as, locally, we can satisfy these items, so nobody is able to bring these in".
Harvey also said there were now many countries applying to bring produce to Jamaica.
In order for that to happen, Harvey said pest risk analysis would have to take place. A department dedicated to that process is set to be opened next month. Currently there is a backlog.
- JIS
How to get an import licence for fresh fruit and vegetables
1. Apply for a permit online at www.moa.gov.jm or go to the Ministry of Agriculture for typed forms.
2. The permit should be issued and sent to the persons you are buying from before goods are ordered abroad.
3. Persons goods are ordered from must comply with declarations on the permit.
4. After making an appointment, the Plant Quarantine Office will arrange for inspection of the goods.
During inspection, you should have:
i. Your import permit
ii. the original phytosanitary certificate
iii. a copy of the invoice
iv. the original receipt from the ministry for import inspection.
v. your customs import entry.
For more information call the Plant Quarantine Unit at 977-0637 or 977-6401.</a>
<span style="font-weight: bold">Ministry brings the Internet to importing</span>
<span style="font-style: italic">Published: Saturday | December 20, 2008</span>
The Ministry of Agriculture is in the process of developing an automated trace system for the electronic processing of import permits and export phytosanitary certificates.
"We are now at the end of the pilot phase for the import aspect of it and we are looking to fully implement this by January 2009," said Shelia Harvey, chief plant quarantine produce inspector at the Ministry of Agriculture.
Easier process
"This process is easier when someone is able to go online and go to the ministry's website, which is www.moa.gov.jm, and go to the section that says 'import inspection' or 'import permit'," she added.
The inspector emphasised that the new measures would facilitate trade, because not only was it easier for prospective importers but the ministry's job would be made easier as well.
"We will be better able to have a hold on what is coming in and what is prohibited. We are able to go online and issue permits, what they are for, who is bringing in the items and see where exactly they are coming from," Harvey explained.
She pointed out that, currently, there was a hold on certain locally grown vegetables such as cabbage, tomato and carrot, "as, locally, we can satisfy these items, so nobody is able to bring these in".
Harvey also said there were now many countries applying to bring produce to Jamaica.
In order for that to happen, Harvey said pest risk analysis would have to take place. A department dedicated to that process is set to be opened next month. Currently there is a backlog.
- JIS
How to get an import licence for fresh fruit and vegetables
1. Apply for a permit online at www.moa.gov.jm or go to the Ministry of Agriculture for typed forms.
2. The permit should be issued and sent to the persons you are buying from before goods are ordered abroad.
3. Persons goods are ordered from must comply with declarations on the permit.
4. After making an appointment, the Plant Quarantine Office will arrange for inspection of the goods.
During inspection, you should have:
i. Your import permit
ii. the original phytosanitary certificate
iii. a copy of the invoice
iv. the original receipt from the ministry for import inspection.
v. your customs import entry.
For more information call the Plant Quarantine Unit at 977-0637 or 977-6401.</a>