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Halting of fertiliser import from Chinese company: Top testing agency rejects China’s claims

11 Oct 2021

  • Stands by findings; asks China to respect SL autonomy
BY Buddhika Samaraweera Following assertion by the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka that the recent decision to suspend the importation of organic fertiliser from a Chinese company to Sri Lanka is problematic, a prominent Sri Lankan testing agency that carried out tests on these fertiliser samples has denied the Embassy’s claims. The agency emphasised that as per the international agreements, one country should respect the other country’s test reports and their test results with regard to the phytosanitary matters. Sources within the said institution told The Morning that as per the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), the World Trade Organisation’s (WTO) Sanitary and Phytosanitary Agreements, and related guidelines, any country has the authority to set their own phytosanitary conditions which are to be fulfilled by the exporting country. They also mentioned that there is enough room for the Chinese quarantine authorities to discuss the matter with the Sri Lankan quarantine authorities in technical and scientific ways. Following tests carried out by local testing agencies, including the National Plant Quarantine Service (NPQS), on the second set of samples of organic fertiliser made in China that have confirmed the presence of harmful bacteria in the said samples, the Agriculture Ministry recently decided not to import organic fertiliser from Qingdao Seawin Biotech Group Co. Ltd. Commenting on the matter, sources from the aforesaid testing agency said: “If needed, there is enough room and opportunity for the Chinese quarantine authorities to discuss this matter with the Sri Lankan quarantine authorities in technical and scientific ways.” The Chinese Embassy in a recent statement said: “The NPQS claimed that the sample received contained harmful bacteria including Erwinia, after only three days of testing and analysis. It is noted that, according to the IPPC, it will take at least six days to detect Erwinia. The hasty conclusion made by the NPQS lacks scientific basis.” In response to the Embassy’s claim that it will take at least six days to detect Erwinia, the aforesaid testing agency said that dates required for microbiological tests would vary, based on the type, genus, species, subspecies, and virulence of the microorganisms, the type of media, the nutrition condition of the media, and the environmental condition. “Therefore, there is no rule of thumb for a specific number of days required for testing,” the sources said. Meanwhile, although the Chinese Embassy has claimed that the NPQS’s conclusion lacks scientific basis, sources within the NPQS told The Morning that the NPQS still holds the same stance that the fertiliser samples from the relevant Chinese company are contaminated with microorganisms. Adding further that the test reports issued by the NPQS have clearly indicated that fertiliser samples from the relevant Chinese company are not sterile, the local testing agency sources pointed out that there is no logical requirement for further testing for the identification of the genus and species of the microorganisms. “Import permit conditions with regard to this matter have been set up as per the Sri Lanka Standards 1704-2021 standards. Therefore, in import permits, it is clearly indicated that the organic fertilisers to be imported must be sterile. Accordingly, samples imported from China have been tested at the NPQS and found to be contaminated with live microorganisms. That means that these imported samples are not sterile and therefore not in compliance with the prescribed standards, as well as import permit conditions,” the sources elaborated. It was also emphasised by the sources that it is not justifiable for the Chinese Embassy to raise concerns based on the species or genus in the samples since the basic fact is that all fertiliser samples imported into the country should be sterile, and the samples in question have been found to be contaminated with live microorganisms. However, according to reliable sources, further testing is being carried out to confirm the species of microorganisms found in these samples for the NPQS’s reference. In a press release issued on 8 October, the Chinese Embassy stated that the decision made by the authorities to reject Seawin’s organic fertiliser based on the NPQS’s report is not only questionable, but also causes great financial loss to the company. It further added that the Embassy hopes that the related parties on the Sri Lankan side and the Chinese company could co-ordinate based on the principles of respecting science and facts, and the spirit of contract, in order to resolve the issue promptly, adding that the differences should be addressed through dialogue in good faith for the mutual benefit of China-Sri Lanka co-operation.  “The Embassy of China in Sri Lanka contacted product supplier Qingdao Seawin Biotech Group Co. Ltd. to examine the issue, and found that these reports and statements, which have already harmed the reputation of the company in question, directly contradict the facts,” it also claimed. Qingdao Seawin Biotech Group Co. Ltd., known as Seawin, is a high-tech enterprise founded in 2000, focusing on the production of a new type of seaweed-based organic fertiliser. Its fertiliser has been exported to more than 50 countries. The company was selected by the Sri Lankan Agriculture Ministry through an open tender to supply urgently needed organic fertiliser, the statement read. “The company has undertaken obligations strictly in accordance with the signed contract. In its production process, organic fertiliser must be sterilised at 600° Celsius. Thus, all harmful microorganisms are killed by the high temperature, which is in line with the standards required in the bidding documents, the contract, the letters of credit, and the widely accepted international standards for organic fertilisers,” the statement further noted. Agriculture Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage, on 29 September, told the media that a decision was taken not to import organic fertiliser from the relevant Chinese company due to laboratory tests that revealed that the samples contained harmful bacteria. Since the mandatory tests carried out by several local institutions, namely the Sri Lanka Standards Institute (SLSI), the NPQS, and the Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Board (SLAEB), on initial samples of organic fertiliser from the Chinese company in question have failed, it was recently revealed that another set of samples were to be given to the local testing agencies. However, Agriculture Department Director General Dr. Ajantha de Silva recently told the media that tests carried out on the said samples have once again confirmed the presence of harmful bacteria. A proposal to ban the use and importation of chemical fertilisers, and agrochemicals such as pesticides and herbicides/weedicides, was submitted to the Cabinet of Ministers by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, and the same was granted approval, following which the relevant gazette notification was issued in May 2021.


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