Solutions to potato dumping and banana fights sought

A visiting Syrian agricultural delegation toured farms in the South of Lebanon on July 14, as improving the two countries coordination on bilateral trade tops the officials agenda, according to agriculture minister Shawki Fakhouri.

Syrian minister Asaad Mustafa and his advisors saw a dairy farm, vineyards, and a sugar factory in the Bekaa on July 13, where Fakhoury said he hoped the visit would have positive results for local farmers.

"The decision to protect national production will not prevent us from regulating agricultural relations between the two countries," Fakhoury said.

Southern farmers have repeatedly asked Syria to lift import restrictions on Lebanese bananas, and other issues include the prevention of dumping of products such as potatoes and poultry.

Mustafa said that the two countries have specific advantages that should be exploited in a common vision for agriculture, and called for changes to be made so that surplus production could be exported.

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