Indonesia: Concern over formaldehyde fruit
According to the article, Minister Wiryawan notes that the Government of Indonesia (GOI) is very serious about limiting the entry of imported fresh fruits and vegetables. He is noted as saying that the GOI has found 19 incidences of pathogen contamination over the past 18 months. (Note: It is not known if the GOI has publically issued a list of the pathogen contaminations.)
The article also quotes the Minister of Trade as stating that Indonesians do not want to eat fresh fruit or vegetables which contain excessive levels of pesticides and are polished with formaldehyde or formalin.
According to the article, the GOI delayed the implementation of closing Tanjung Priok to horticulture from March 19, 2012 to June 19, 2012 because the GOI understands that the private sector needs time to make necessary changes in advance of full implementation.
The article also notes that the new Ministry of Agriculture Regulations Nos. 15 and 16/2012 will replace the regulation No. 89 and 90/2012. Regulations 15 and 16 will provide for the three month extension, although the new regulations will reportedly continue to limit the sea ports of Belawan, Surabaya, Makassar and airport Soekarno-Hatta as the only ports of entry authorized for imported fruit and vegetables.
As of March 29, FAS Jakarta has not seen Regulations 15/16 and it is not known if these have been issued.