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Pursuant to the Customs (Prohibited Import) Regulations Order No. 115 of 2014, the following items are subject to an import prohibition: (...) (6) any ozone-depleting substances and synthetic greenhouse gases, as set out in the Ozone Layer Protection Act No. 27 of 2010; (...) (8) various chemicals [2].[2] Hydrochlorofluorocarbons, methyl bromide, bromochloromethane, hydrofluorocarbons, and perfluorocarbons.

(...) The fishing and trading of sea cucumber and green snail are banned, and the exportation of coconut crab and rock lobster is prohibited. (...)

Table 3.6 Export restrictionsItems Goods Authority responsible for issuing permit or licence(...)(o) Sandalwood (Forestry [CAP 276]) Minister of Forestry(...)(q) Aquarium fish, coconut crabs, rock lobsters, sea cucumbers Minister of Agriculture

The Fisheries Act No. 10 of 2014 prohibits the imports of genetically modified aquatic organisms (Article 20). Vanuatu does not prohibit all living modified organisms (LMOs)/genetically modified organisms (GMOs), although their importation must go through a risk assessment process. The Vanuatu National Biosafety Framework outlines the pre-import risk assessment, as required under the Cartagena Protocol, for biological products. Biological products include GMOs (living or processed) for use as human food, animal feed, pharmaceuticals or other purposes. They refer to any products derived or extracted from a biological organism including the whole organism or a part thereof, whether alone or in combination with other products of diverse origin.

Most agricultural activities in Vanuatu make use of rudimentary hand tools, leading to low and irregular production. Production is also constrained by, inter alia: lack of land, (...) climate vulnerability, (...)

(...) Climate change and climate variability add to the difficulties in Vanuatu's agricultural development. For example, disaster risk management requires strong collaboration among various stakeholders, and changing climatic conditions and natural hazards have implications for the transportation of agricultural produce from rural areas to markets in the main urban centres. (...)

Import prohibitions are maintained on the grounds of protecting public health, safety, morals and the environment. (...)

(...) Both fishing and trading activities of sea cucumber (until a new management system is set up) and green snails (2017-2020) were banned in 2017, because stocks were low.

4.38. The Vanuatu Fisheries Department (VFD) under the MALFFB aims to "ensure sustainable management, development and conservation of fish resources to achieve maximum social and economic benefits to Vanuatu for the present and future generations". Its core activities include formulating policies, regulations and legislative framework, providing scientific and development advice to fisheries development, and where necessary assisting in supporting fisheries development programmes.

The Fisheries Act No. 10 of 2014 is the primary legal instrument for the management, development and conservation of fisheries resources. The Fisheries Regulation Order No. 28 of 2009 provides the regulatory framework. In addition, there are a number of acts regulating the fisheries sector (Table 4.2).