Uzbekistan’s 14 tons of melons shipment rejected by Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyz authorities have denied entry to 14 tons of melons exported from Uzbekistan due to violations of phytosanitary regulations, "The Economist" reports.  

The incident occurred at the Ken-Sai checkpoint, where inspectors from the Department of Chemical Protection, Plant Protection, and Quarantine of Jalal-Abad's regional administration identified non-compliance with import requirements.  

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, a truck carrying melons from Uzbekistan to the Jalal-Abad region was inspected and found to be transporting the produce on a straw "pillow." However, this detail was not included in the phytosanitary certificate.  

Officials noted that straw poses a high phytosanitary risk as it may contain weed seeds, including ragweed and sedge. To be legally transported, its presence must be declared in documents, and its safety must be certified.  

Due to the violation of quarantine regulations, inspectors issued a control act and ordered the return of the cargo. The entire shipment was sent back to Uzbekistan under official supervision.  

It is worth noting that a similar case was previously reported when a wagon loaded with potatoes from Pavlodar, Kazakhstan, was detained for 10 days at the Uzbekistan border for inspection, causing the produce to rot. The potatoes were later sent to Uzbek markets.