Russia warns Pakistan about rice imports: A cautionary message from one major exporter to another.
Published on: May 2, 2024.
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Russia Threatens to Restrict Rice Imports from Pakistan Again
Russia has once again expressed its concerns regarding the phytosanitary issues in rice imports from Pakistan. The Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (FSVPS) of the Russian Federation has issued a notification highlighting violations of international and Russian phytosanitary criteria in a recent shipment of rice from Pakistan.
According to the notification, which is dated April 2, 2024, the rice consignment from Pakistan was found to contain the quarantine organism “Megaselia scalaris (Loew).” In response to this, the FSVPS has requested that the plenipotentiary and trade representative at the Pakistani embassy in Russia take immediate action to investigate the incident.
In light of this notification, the Pakistani embassy in Moscow’s commercial wing has forwarded the Russian authority’s letter to the Ministry of Food Security’s Department of Plant Protection (DPP) and other relevant government departments. The embassy has emphasized the importance of adhering to phytosanitary standards and has urged for a thorough investigation to avoid any potential bans on rice exports in the future.
Furthermore, the FSVPS has reached out to the director of DPP, requesting enhanced collaboration in the field of plant quarantine.
It is worth noting that Russia had previously imposed a ban on rice imports from Pakistan in 2019 for similar reasons. The ban lasted for almost two years and was lifted after extensive negotiations between officials from both countries. In 2006, Russia had also prohibited rice import from Pakistan due to concerns over food safety.
This recent development calls for immediate action from Pakistani authorities to address the phytosanitary concerns raised by Russia. Failure to do so may result in further restrictions on rice imports, which can have significant implications for the rice industry in Pakistan. It is crucial for all stakeholders to prioritize and ensure the safety of agricultural products traded between the two countries.
Source: [Chiang Rai Times](https://www.chiangraitimes.com)
