Guam poised to lift 17-year ban on betel nuts from CNMI

Guam is now poised to lift a 17-year ban on “un-husked” betel nuts from the CNMI in limited quantities and for personal consumption only, Senate President Paul Manglona (Ind-Rota) said yesterday.

Manglona, who has been communicating with Guam Gov. Eddie Calvo on the issue, thanked the Guam governor yesterday for a decision to have the restrictions lifted.

With Guam’s plan to lift the restrictions, Manglona said the CNMI will be able to import un-husked betel nut of up to 50 pounds into Guam for personal consumption and without penalty or fine.

“The CNMI is also fortunate that with this recent policy change, betel nut in the husk may be imported into Guam for consumption (not planting) in commercial quantities of over 50 lbs with an import permit, an opportunity we have long waited for,” Manglona told Calvo in a one-page letter.

Manglona said CNMI farmers, frequent travelers and businessmen were not able to bring “un-husked” betel nuts to Guam for a long time.

Since 1995, Guam banned the importation of un-husked betel nuts from the CNMI because of outbreaks of betel nut disease in the CNMI.

The only ones that have since been allowed for import from the CNMI are cleaned or husked kernels.

Guam, however, will continue to prohibit the entry from the CNMI of betel nut palm tree seedlings, Manglona said.

Manglona said CNMI farmers will be encouraged to further conduct a healthy, clean, and pest-free betel nut trade between the CNMI and Guam.

“As we continue to improve our economy, I am thankful for your time and effort in helping the people of the CNMI and our neighboring island, Guam,” Manglona told Calvo.

Bill Hocog, a former senator and who owns some betel nut trees on Rota, said last night that Guam’s decision to lift the restrictions on betel nuts from the CNMI is “welcome news.”

“It opens up new opportunities for Rota farmers and those from Saipan and Tinian to expand their business and bring betel nuts to Guam. Especially in these economic times, we need to generate revenues. I am thankful for those who made this happen, including Senate President Manglona and Mayor Mendiola,” he told Saipan Tribune last night.

Hocog and Manglona separately said last night that Guam gets most of its betel nuts from the Federated States of Micronesia, particularly Yap.

Manglona thanked not only the Guam governor but also Guam entomologist Dr. Russell Campbell, Guam Agriculture director Marquita F. Taitague, and CNMI Lands and Natural Resources Secretary Arnold I. Palacios.