Health inspectors act
A combined team of Seed and Plant Health inspectors from the Ministry
of Agriculture and Cooperatives and the Environmental Council of
Zambia officers have destroyed about one tonne of illegally imported
agricultural inputs at Chirundu Border Post.

The inputs that included Jatropha, Caster Sun hemp, Sorghum, Soya bean
and unidentified legume seeds were imported and brought into the
country illegally by unidentified traders from China and India.

Another consignment containing about 85 litres of herbicide from
Zimbabwe was also destroyed by the inspectors.

Plant Health Inspector Justine Kalaba said the destruction of
illegally imported seed was done in a bid to avoid the introduction of
foreign pests and crop diseases.

Mr. Kalaba said the move will also teach traders to follow the law
when importing agricultural commodities.

He said allowing imports of agricultural materials would be costly to
the government as fighting diseases and pests require a lot of money.


http://www.znbc.co.zm/media/news/viewnews.cgi?category=13&id=1232985825