Authorities still undecided over Polish wheat shipment

AMMAN — The authorities still have not decided whether to allow or deny the entry of a Polish wheat shipment, an official said on Wednesday.

The shipment has stirred controversy, with the Jordan Food and Drug Administration (JFDA) recently announcing it was “fit for human consumption” although it violated technical standards, under which a limited percentage of bad wheat of a different colour is allowed.

Trade Ministry Spokesperson Yanal Barmawi said no final decision has yet been taken concerning the shipment, as the JFDA is still testing the wheat samples, and “might need to conduct further tests”.

He added that reports circulated by some media outlets about the ministry’s decision to ban the entry of the shipment “are not accurate”. 

“The ministry reiterates that it will not allow the entry of any wheat shipment that does not meet national standards,” Barmawi told The Jordan Times over the phone, adding that the 52,000-tonne shipment is valued at JD15 million.

If the shipment does not meet the standards, the ministry will refer it back to the supplier and confiscate the shipment warranty for violating technical rules in the agreement, the official noted.