AGRICULTURAL PRODUCE

Export of Agricultural Produce

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There are no restrictions or prohibitions against exporting agricultural produce (not to be confused with forest produce) from Sri Lanka to any part of the world.

However certain export produce may be examined by the National Plant Quarantine Service (NPQS) at the time of export for the purpose of certifying the same are free from pest and diseases as a fulfillment of such requirements of the destination country.

For examples when vegetables are exported to Europe such consignments shall be endorsed by Phytosanitary Certificates indicating that the consignment of plants, plant products or other regulated articles meet specified import requirements of Europe.

Any person is eligible to apply on application obtained free of charge from National Plant Quarantine Station at the seaport/airport and submitting the same. Produce are examined and must be free of pests and diseases to obtain the certificate, while a service charge is levied per certificate.

Import of Agricultural Produce

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Like in the case of other countries, any import of plant, plant products or other regulated articles are subject to requirement of Phytosanitary Certificates issued by the plant protection organization of the exporting country and examination and control at the time of import by the National Plant Quarantine Service of Sri Lanka, in terms of the Plant Protection Act No. 35 of 1999 and Regulation made by the Minister of Agricultural Development and Research by virtue of the powers vested in him by section 9 of the Plant Protection Ordinance (Chapter 447) published in the Government extraordinary gazette No. 165/2 of 02 November 1981.

Further, the Article 2 of the said Regulation prohibits/restricts 38 categories of plant, plant products or other regulated articles from importing into to the country except if imported under Article 14 or Article 15 thereof.

This requires permit be obtained from the Director General of Agriculture prior to import on applications collected from Seed Certification and Plant Protection Center, situated in Gannoruwa Kandy or downloaded from the Department of Agriculture website.