Mainland issues temporary ban on import of Taiwan pineapples

Chinese mainland issued a temporary ban on the importation of pineapples from Taiwan to prevent the fruit from bringing pests in and it will take effect on Monday, the General Administration of Customs said on Friday.

The ban aims to cut off the risk of plant-caused epidemics from root causes as since last year, customs of the Chinese mainland repeatedly found quarantine pests in pineapples imported from Taiwan, the administration said.

Ma Xiaoguang, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said on Friday that once imported, these harmful organisms will pose a serious threat to the mainland's agricultural production and ecological security.

"It is a normal biosafety precautionary measure, which is scientific, reasonable and in line with the mainland laws and regulations," he said.