Minister of Agriculture (Bayit Yehudi) Uri Ariel has instructed his office to take the necessary measures to rescind the permit for the importation of pig fat to Israel following the revelation of this permit by Kikar Shabbos News.

The report states that after the news was revealed, Ariel has instructed his staff to make the necessary measures to ensure the Ministry of the Economy does not approve importing the pig fat. Kikar Shabbos revealed the internal document that permitted the importation of the chazir into Israel R”L. While the permit is issued by the Ministry of the Economy, the Ministry of Agriculture is required to provide veterinary services.

The report adds that Degel Hatorah chairman MK Moshe Gafne spoke with officials in the Agriculture and Economy ministries and he is working to persuade the office of Minister of the Economy & Industry (Kulanu) Eli Cohen to rescind the permit immediately.

It appears that the permit is new, as the product was never imported in the past, and Gafne signals that following discussions with relevant parties, it will be rescinded.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)