Viet Nam has lifted the import ban on peanuts imported from India from January 18. — Photo soha.vn

HA NOI (Biz Hub) — The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) has lifted the import ban on peanuts imported from India after suspending the product for nearly a year.

The move followed the ministry's Decision No 118/QD-BNN-BVTV, which came into effect on January 18.

MARD suspended peanut imports from India from February 6, 2015, after detecting the Caryedon Serratus Olivier insect in some shipments.

The insect, found in peanuts, can cause serious damage to plants. It has not been found in Viet Nam.

Under the newly-issued decision, the ministry's Plant Protection Department has added peanuts (Arachis hypogaea) imported from India to the list of import products that must be accompanied with a phytosanitary certificate granted by the department.

The department will strengthen the supervision over peanut imports. The product must comply with requirements stipulated in the phytosanitary certificate, as well as comply with Standard Operation Procedure issued by India's National Plant Protection Organisation (NPPO). — VNS