The Caretaker Minister of Agriculture, Abbas Al-Hajj Hassan, stated on Friday that the recent surge in smuggling operations to and from Lebanon is adversely affecting the country’s agricultural sector.
In an interview with “Addiyar,” he explained that “this surge is primarily due to the depreciation of the Syrian currency, which has attracted smugglers to Lebanese territory. Additionally, weakened border control and inadequate enforcement against smuggling have contributed to the problem.”
Al-Hajj Hassan is affiliated with the Amal Movement, an ally of Hezbollah—which has de facto control over Lebanon’s border with Syria and refuses to close the illegal border crossing points.
Al-Hajj Hassan stressed the need for coordinated efforts among security, military, administrative, and ministerial authorities in Lebanon. He also emphasized the importance of cooperation with the official Syrian side to mitigate smuggling activities.
He pointed out that crises tend to intensify smuggling operations, making it essential to maintain vigilance and strengthen government, administrative, and security efforts to combat these activities effectively.
“The influx of Syrian products into Lebanese markets has had a significant negative impact on Lebanese farmers, particularly affecting the potato, watermelon, grape, and fruit seasons,” he noted.
Regarding measures taken by the Ministry of Agriculture to combat this issue, Al-Hajj Hassan said that they have conducted extensive raids on wholesale markets across Lebanon with the support of the judiciary and security forces. “Substantial quantities of smuggled products were seized, and legal proceedings were initiated,” he stated.
However, he stressed that these actions alone are insufficient. “There must be continuous inspection and enforcement, supported by security forces and the judiciary, in cooperation with Lebanese Customs and the Ministry of Economy,” he emphasized.
Al-Hajj Hassan also pointed out that the problem extends beyond fruits and vegetables, as it also involves fertilizers and agricultural drugs that can be harmful to public health and safety.
He mentioned that the Ministry of Agriculture has long granted licenses to companies importing agricultural drugs and veterinary pharmacies. Still, there are those operating outside the law.
In response to this issue, he stated that “the Ministry has taken several actions, including addressing the former Minister of Economy, Wael Abu Faour, in detail about non-compliant companies and harmful drugs present in the Lebanese markets.” According to the minister, they have also submitted a letter to the public prosecutor through the Minister of Justice, addressing relevant ministries, including Defense, Interior, and Customs.
Al-Hajj Hassan called for “immediate coordination among all relevant agencies, as the crisis is severe and directly impacts food safety and the health of citizens.”
He underscored that addressing this challenge requires a comprehensive, integrated approach involving both internal and external stakeholders and bridging the gap between the public and private sectors.
