2Samoa talk permits, food and trade

17299308

Travelers between Samoa and American Samoa are familiar with the permits they have to obtain when they are bringing or taking certain food items.

For example  local residents who take any meat products to Samoa like ham, turkey tails , or sausages have to obtain permits from the local Department of Agriculture in addition to also getting permits from the Samoa Department of Agriculture.

Similarly when you bring a cooler of fish, lobster or other seafood to the territory from Samoa,  you have to obtain a permit from the American Samoa Department of Agriculture.

There’s been some exchange of information between the agriculture quarantine sections of both countries on the fees and charges applied at their respective borders.

At the Samoa talks last month, Samoa’s Ministry of Agriculture confirmed it does not charge inspection fees however it does impose a fee for certificates and permits.

Samoa makes the application forms and information available on line.

American Samoa assured at the talks it will consider the reduction or elimination of inspection fees and only apply fees for acquiring certificates and permits.

Samoa’s efforts to obtain US Department of Agriculture  approval so that it can export meat products to American Samoa appears to have taken a step forward.

The Samoa Ministry of Agriculture confirmed a letter was received last month from the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection services.

This is seen as a way forward for Samoa to accelerate the process to obtaining the green light to send povi masima, sausages, steaks, pork and other meat products to the territory.

Tags: , ,