Gov't relaxes FSM food ban

The Department of Lands and Natural Resources has revised the Emergency Order of Quarantine it had issued last month in light of the vibrio cholera epidemic reportedly plaguing some parts of the Federated States of Micronesia.

Meanwhile, DLNR Secretary Joaquin A. Tenorio is set to meet with FSM President Leo A. Falcam, Health Secretary Joseph Kevin Villagomez as well as Quarantine and health officials from Guam, CNMI, and FSM to discuss the possibility of easing the recently imposed food ban on imports from other unaffected FSM states.

The meeting which will be held on Guam will dwell on the formulation of concrete actions that would prevent the spread of the disease and allow unaffected FSM states to resume exports to the CNMI and Guam.

Mr. Falcam had asked the audience of CNMI and Guam officials for the meeting after sharing with Governor Pedro P. Tenorio the FSM exporters’ grievances due to the recent food ban.

Mr. Falcam cited CNMI’s ban on exports has had a tremendous impact on FSM exporters, thus FSM leaders are appealing for a reconsideration.
Under CNMI’s newly-revised emergency order of quarantine, all fish, shellfish, and crustaceans originating from the States of Chuuk, Kosrae, and Yap must be cooked and frozen to at least 32 degrees Fahrenheit or below, before it may be admitted into the Commonwealth.

The CNMI Agriculture Quarantine may take samples of the fish, shellfish, and crustaceans which originate from these FSM states, according to DLNR.

Immediately after taking any sample, the Bureau of Environmental Health shall be asked to retrieve the sample and submit it for testing for the presence of the vibrio at the CHC Laboratory and/or Guam Public Health.

The new order also states that all food (frozen, cooked or uncooked) and other consumable products including but not necessarily limited to sakau and betel nut, originating from Pohnpei is restricted from entry into the Commonwealth until the vibrio cholera epidemic in Pohnpei is officially declared under control and the order is rescinded or modified.

Furthermore, food cargo from Pohnpei, including containers, and contents shall be confiscated and properly disposed. The owner of the cargo shall be consulted on the disposal method, whenever possible.

According to DLNR, the order shall remain in effect for 30 days from the date signed unless earlier modified or extended.