The Sri Lankan government has taken the decision to suspend a recently published gazette notification permitting the import of various spices, including pepper, for re-export, as announced by the Agriculture Ministry.
The initial gazette notification had allowed for the importation of locally grown spices such as pepper, nutmeg, mace (Vasavasi), turmeric, ginger, and cardamom for re-export purposes.
Following deliberations at a Cabinet meeting, Agriculture and Plantation Industries Minister Mahinda Amaraweera expressed strong opposition to the gazette announcement. Minister Amaraweera highlighted concerns regarding the potential adverse impact on local spice farmers, emphasizing that such imports could lead to a collapse in domestic spice cultivation. Additionally, he underscored the potential compromise in the quality of Sri Lanka's renowned spices, which currently hold a top position in global rankings.
Taking these concerns into account, the Cabinet decided to suspend the gazette notification allowing spice imports for re-export. Minister Amaraweera emphasized the government's commitment to conducting a thorough study to ensure the preservation of local spice quality and to bolster the role of the government in promoting the growth of indigenous spices as vital plantation crops.
