Olive Press Fined in Tartus Countryside for Regulatory Violations
The Directorate of Internal Trade and Consumer Protection in Tartus Governorate issued a regulatory violation against an olive press located in the countryside of Safita on Thursday. The action was taken after the facility was found to be in breach of the official regulations governing the olive pressing season.
Abdul Wahab Al-Safar, the Director of Internal Trade and Consumer Protection in Tartus, stated in a press briefing that the enforcement action followed a series of field inspection tours targeting several local olive presses. During the inspection, officials discovered irregularities in the facility’s operational procedures. The directorate characterized these actions as a form of malpractice that negatively impacts consumer rights.
The inspection tour was conducted by a committee including the Assistant Director, Ismail Zaeem, and the head of the Safita Supply Division, Engineer Shadi Khadr. The committee’s mission focused on ensuring that press owners adhered to the official pricing set by relevant authorities, clearly displayed their pressing fees, and met established standards for hygiene and general public health.
Regarding the legal procedures initiated, Al-Safar confirmed that the patrol issued the necessary violation report against the owner of the press. Furthermore, the inspection team collected samples of pomace and wastewater resulting from the pressing process. These samples have been forwarded to specialized laboratories to undergo testing to confirm their compliance with technical and health specifications.
These regulatory measures are part of the directorate’s ongoing efforts to oversee the olive pressing season across Tartus Governorate. The campaign aims to ensure that all facilities operate in accordance with current laws and regulations, ultimately protecting the rights of both farmers and consumers against any potential manipulation or exploitation.
It is noteworthy that the Directorate of Internal Trade and Consumer Protection in Tartus previously held an awareness meeting with olive press owners in the governorate on September 30. The objective of the meeting was to provide operators with the necessary instructions and the technical and legal requirements mandated for the season. This initiative was intended to guarantee the quality and safety of the produced olive oil and to safeguard the rights of all parties involved in this vital production process.
Source: Syria Focus Arabic
