American Samoa's Director of Agriculture, Filifaatali Mike Fuiava says Samoa's ban on taro exports to American Samoa is the prerogative of Samoa.
Photo: RNZI/Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia
It followed last year's suspension on imports imposed by American Samoa out of fears the neighbour's taro could carry a virus.
The Samoa Minister of Agriculture Lopao'o Natanielu Mu'a advised Filifaatali of the ban which was in response to more stringent conditions required by American Samoa for taro imports.
Lopao'o was concerned at the new requirement that American Samoa inspectors would first inspect plantations of taro exporters to the territory.