Truck carrying date palm trees seized in Suwaiq

Muscat – 

The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MoAF) seized a truck laden with Red Palm Weevil infested date palm trees in Suwaiq. This is the second such case in significantly less than two weeks. According to MoAF, transfer of date palm trees from an agricultural quarantined region is prohibited as they might be infested by Red Palm Weevil.

The ministry stated that the team from the Directorate General of Agriculture and Livestock in North and South Batinah seized the truck whilst it was transporting trees from Sohar. MoAF urges citizens and residents not to transfer palm trees with out a permit. It has also urged public to report any violation in this regard to decrease the spread of Red Palm Weevil infestation.

The quarantined governorates consist of Musandam (Khasab, Dibba, Madha) Buraimi (Buraimi, Mahdah) North Batinah (Sohar, Shinas, Liwa, Saham, Khabourah, Suwaiq) South Batinah (Barka, Rustaq) North Sharqiyah (Sinaw in Mudhaibi, Al Qabil) South Sharqiyah (Sur, Jalaan Bani Bu Hassan) Dhahirah (Ibri, Yanqul, Dhank) and Dakhliyah (Bahla).

Information Source: Muscat Daily