Dominican Republic denies reports US blocked tainted pineapples

The Agriculture Ministry said Thursday, that pineapple exports to the United States remain normal, rejecting reports that shipments of that fruit have been returned from the nation in the last few days.

The official statement comes in the wake of concern of nagging rumours that the low prices for pineapples nationwide is the result of retained shipments in the U.S., on allegedly high contents of toxic herbicides.

Agriculture said the country produced 4,900 tons of pineapples in 2011, of which 4,702 were exported to the U.S., for US$2.6 million, adding that the fruit meet international quality, health and safety standards.

It adds that an inspection of the country’s ports and airports found that none of the fruit’s shipments have been returned from North America. "And even U.S. agencies such as the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), hasn’t issued any notice that their authorities have been returning any boatload of pineapples exported from the Dominican Republic."

Source: www.dominicantoday.com