Global Rice News

Russia has issued a warning to Pakistan regarding the potential banning of rice imports from the country. This comes after the detection of a quarantine organism in a recent shipment from Pakistan, according to reports on Sunday.

The Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (FSVPS) in Russia released a notification earlier this month, stating that there were violations of international and Russian phytosanitary requirements in a shipment of rice from Pakistan. The shipment was found to contain the ‘Megaselia scalaris’ fly, as reported by Dawn.

In response to this, the FSVPS has requested the Pakistani Embassy in Russia to initiate an immediate investigation into the matter. They have further stressed the importance of preventing such violations in the future and maintaining the necessary phytosanitary standards for trade in agricultural commodities.

The Pakistani mission has already forwarded an English translation of the Russian authority’s letter to the Department of Plant Protection (DPP) in the Ministry of Food Security, as well as other concerned government offices. They have requested a prompt investigation and the sharing of the investigation report to prevent any potential ban on rice exports.

This isn’t the first time Russia has imposed a ban on rice imports from Pakistan. A similar ban was previously implemented in 2019 due to concerns over food safety standards. The ban was in effect for approximately two years until negotiations between officials from both countries led to its eventual lifting.

Rice is a significant export commodity for Pakistan, and any potential ban from Russia could have a significant impact on the country’s rice industry and economy. Therefore, it is crucial for Pakistani authorities to address this issue promptly and ensure the necessary measures are taken to comply with international phytosanitary requirements.

Source: [The Hans India](https://www.thehansindia.com)