Papua New Guinea has announced a major import ban on various fruit and vegetables in a bid to boost local production, the Post Courier reported. 

The Oceanian country's Agriculture and Livestock Minister Tommy Tomscoll announced the move on Friday, saying it would remain in place 'until dialogue and protocols are established with the countries of origin.'

On the banned list are potato, bulb onion, cabbage, carrot, tomato, green bell pepper, pumpkin, peas, zucchini, eggplant, Pak Choi/Chinese cabbage, French bean, lettuce and celery.

The publication said the minister was considering a further ban of Asian imported products - particularly those with labels in languages other than English, Papua New Guinea's business language.

Tomscoll signed off on the ban last Tuesday, having given advance notice of his intentions to impose this ban in his closing address at an agricultural forum the previous Thursday. He reportedly said then that he was prepared to defend these bans in international forums.

According to Post Courier, the minister has been concerned about the free access to domestic markets in Papua New Guinea of fruits and vegetables which can be grown and supplied locally.

He reportedly stated that a ban of these fruits and vegetables would "grow" small and medium enterprises, citing the ban earlier this year on import of uncooked poultry from Australia which he said had a positive effect on local businesses.

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