Russia Notifies Pakistan of Rice Import Ban Due to Phytosanitary Concerns
Published on: April 29, 2024.
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Russia Alerts Pakistan of Potential Rice Import Ban Over Phytosanitary Issues
In a concerning development, Russia has informed Pakistan of its intent to impose a ban on rice imports if phytosanitary issues are not promptly addressed. The Russian Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (FSVPS) has issued an alert notification highlighting violations of international and Russian phytosanitary standards in a recent shipment of rice from Pakistan.
Specifically, the notification points to the presence of a quarantine organism known as “Megaselia scalaris (Loew)” in the imported rice. To address this matter, the FSVPS has urged the plenipotentiary and trade representative at the Pakistani embassy in Russia to conduct an immediate investigation. The Embassy’s trade team in Moscow has forwarded the letter from Russian authorities to Pakistan’s Department of Plant Protection and other relevant government agencies.
The embassy’s letter to the Department of Plant Protection stresses the need for an urgent investigation and requests the sharing of the investigation results with the FSVPS. Taking swift action and providing the necessary evidence is crucial to avoid a potential ban on rice exports in the future.
Furthermore, the FSVPS has also reached out to the director of the Department of Plant Protection, emphasizing the importance of enhanced cooperation concerning plant quarantine measures.
It is worth noting that Russia had previously banned rice imports from Pakistan for approximately two years from 2019 due to food safety concerns. Additionally, a ban was imposed in December 2006 for similar reasons.
Ensuring adherence to phytosanitary standards is vital for all rice exporters. Pakistan must address the identified violations promptly to maintain its reputation as a reliable supplier of rice. The cooperation of relevant government agencies is essential in conducting a thorough investigation and resolving the phytosanitary issues.
Source: [24newshd.tv](https://www.24newshd.tv)
