Based on a joint decision issued by the Ministers of Economy and Trade and Agriculture, a joint working group from the two ministries has been formed to investigate the imported wheat shipment issue.

The team’s mission is to coordinate with Lebanese Customs and the head of the agricultural quarantine center at the Port of Beirut to ensure the integrity of the procedures followed.

In addition, the team will take samples from the silos for thorough laboratory analysis at the Industrial Research Institute and the Tel Amara laboratory. These analyzes will be carried out according to the specifications defined in both: (a) the Lebanese standard for wheat and durum wheat No. “2014/242”, and (b) the Ministry of Agriculture’s decision No. “1/165” dated “2023/5/2”.

After completing the analyzes, the team will prepare a detailed and comprehensive report that includes the results of the analyzes and the extent to which they comply with the aforementioned specifications. If any violations are found, the nature of these violations and their potential impact will be clarified, with an indication of the possibility of correcting them.

The final report is scheduled to be submitted within one month from the date of issuance of this decision, and a copy of it will be sent to each of the ministers and the head of the Issues Authority, in order to take the appropriate decision in a timely manner.

The following is the text of Joint Decision No. “1 / 1 / AT / M”:

“The Minister of Economy and Trade and the Minister of Agriculture, based on Decree No. “53” dated “2025/2/8” (Formation of the Government), Law No. “695” dated “2005/2/1” and its amendments (Consumer Protection Law), Decree No. “1821” dated “1973/12/28” and its amendments (Defining the tasks and structures of the Ministry of Economy and Trade), Decree No. “31” dated “1955/2/18” and its amendments (Defining the tasks of the Ministry of Agriculture), Decree No. “5246” dated “1991/1/20” and its amendments (Organization of the Ministry of Agriculture).

After studying the file of the wheat shipment received from Ukraine on “2023/1/18” for the benefit of “Shabarq” company, in the amount of “5406.4” tons, which was rejected by the Ministry of Agriculture due to its non-compliance with the Ministry of Agriculture’s decision No. “1/165” dated “2023/5/2”,

After sending samples to the Industrial Research Institute and proving their conformity with the Lebanese standard, and the expert appointed by the Summary Judge confirmed the wheat’s suitability for consumption,

After the Consumer Protection Directorate in the Ministry of Economy and Trade conducted analyzes on wheat samples and it became clear that a portion of them complied with the Lebanese standard and a portion did not comply but was sterilizable,

Therefore, in light of the contradiction in the results of the reports and the specifications used, and in reference to the meeting held between the Ministers of Economy and Trade and Agriculture and the Head of the Issues Authority in the Ministry of Justice, and in the interest of the safety of citizens and their food and health security, they decide the following:

Assigning a joint working group from the Ministry of Economy and Trade and the Ministry of Agriculture to carry out the following task:

1- Coordinate with Lebanese Customs and the head of the agricultural quarantine center at the Port of Beirut to ensure the continued presence of customs seals on the silos.

2- Take samples from all silos to conduct analyzes at the Industrial Research Institute and at the Tel Amara laboratory in accordance with the specifications stipulated in each of (a) the Lebanese standard for wheat and durum wheat No. “2014/242” and (b) the Ministry of Agriculture’s decision No. “1/165” dated “2023/5/2”.

3- Organize a report showing the results of the analyzes and the extent to which they comply with each of these specifications, and when there is non-compliance, clarify the nature of the violation and its impact in an accurate and specific manner, and indicate the possibility of correcting it.

4- Submit the final report within a period of one month from the issuance of this decision and inform a copy of it to each of the two ministers and the head of the Issues Authority so that the appropriate decision can be taken by the two ministers at the time.”

source: 961 today