Ahmed Al Attar appointed head of Agriculture Ministry's Quarantine Authority

MOVES- Agriculture Minister Abdel Moneim El Banna appointed Ahmed Al Attar as acting head of the ministry’s Agricultural Quarantine Authority, Al Mal reports. The appointment of Al Attar, head researcher at the Plant Diseases Research Institute, comes amid a sweeping shakeup at the authority likely meant to curb alleged efforts by wheat inspectors to restore a zero-tolerance policy on ergot contamination of wheat. The shuffle comes after the Administrative Court issued a ruling which could potentially restore the zero-tolerance policy which has disturbed markets, and made wheat imports more expensive. The government has vowed to challenge the court’s ruling and maintain the global policy of permitting shipments of 0.05% ergot contamination.