The Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Welfare has announced that 2,000 permits have been issued for the importation of trees and plant parts into the Maldives, with all such movement regulated under strict biosecurity guidelines. Permits must be obtained through the Makudi portal, and transfers of trees between islands are only authorised if the destination island is free from harmful pests such as the hispid beetle. The Ministry has also granted permits to three parties to export trees, three parties to import timber and timber products, and 1,057 parties to import pesticides and agricultural chemicals.