The Indonesian Agriculture Ministry is currently under pressure to release detained horticultural imports. During a press conference which took place on 26 September, the Indonesian Ombudsman suggested the Ministry to ask the Agricultural Quarantine Agency (Barantan) to release detained imports.
It was explained that following their consultation with the Human Rights Ministry on 16 September, they had managed to receive a legal opinion which stated that Barantan’s detainment would not be applicable for goods that had arrived before 18 May, which is the day the Trade Ministry issued a regulation on horticultural import recommendations (RIPH).
On 24 September, the Ombudsman confirmed that Barantan had begun the inspection process. The Ministry was given five working days to move ahead with the release since none of the detained imported goods were released as of 26 September. The Ombudsman mentioned that importers had applied for the certificate but had been denied by the Ministry
Source: fareasternagriculture.com
