Viet Nam suspends to import cotton from Ghana due to beetle infection. — Photo doanhnghiepvn.vn

HA NOI (Biz Hub) — The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) has issued a decision on halting raw cotton imports from Ghana.

The decision was made after a large volume of raw cotton was found infected with living Trogoderma granarium Everts.

The decision comes into effect 60 days from the issuance date on October 11.

The Plantation Protection Department's representative said from July 2 to September 26, relevant authorities detected 58 containers of raw cotton weighing more than 1,384 tonnes imported from Ghana via Hai Phong Port infected with the Trogoderma granarium Everts, a very dangerous beetle not found in Viet Nam.

The beetle can damage various kinds of agricultural products, such as cereals, vegetables and rubber. It is considered one of the 100 worst invasive species in the world.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Lê Quốc Doanh said the MARD had urged its Plantation Protection Department to tighten quarantine control of imported cotton from Ghana without any delay until the decision comes into effect.

Viet Nam's Plantation Protection Department has reported the case to Ghana's authorities looking in to quarantine to find solutions and also requested Ghana to inspect and resolve this pest issue.

If farming products infected by this pest have entered Viet Nam, it could directly damage farming products in the country and also lead to a loss of export market. — VNS