Customs authorities on the Chinese mainland have decided to suspend the import of mangoes from the Taiwan region to the mainland starting from August 21 due to the interception of quarantine pests, according to a mainland spokesperson. 

Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said on Monday that once spread, the quarantine pests would pose a major threat to the mainland's agricultural production and ecological security.

China's General Administration of Customs has notified Taiwan authorities of the suspension through channels established under the cross-Straits agricultural product quarantine and inspection cooperation agreement, which was signed in December 2009, and requested the island to further improve its plant quarantine management system, Zhu added.

The measures are normal, scientific and reasonable biosecurity precautions and in line with the mainland's laws, regulations and standards, she said.

(Cover via CFP)