russia warns pakistan of potential rice import ban due to food safety concerns
Published on: April 30, 2024.
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Russia Issues Warning to Pakistan Over Rice Imports
Russia has issued a warning to Pakistan regarding the import of rice, stating that it may ban rice imports if phytosanitary concerns are not addressed. The Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (FSVPS) of the Russian Federation has raised concerns over violations of international and Russian phytosanitary requirements in a recent shipment of rice from Pakistan.
The notification, dated April 2, 2024, highlights the presence of a quarantine organism, “Megaselia scalaris (Loew),” in the rice consignment. In response, the FSVPS has requested an immediate investigation into the matter from the plenipotentiary and trade representative at the Pakistani embassy in Russia.
The Russian authorities are urging Pakistani officials to take measures to prevent such violations in the future and to adhere to phytosanitary standards to ensure the safety of agricultural products traded between the two countries. They emphasize the importance of maintaining these standards for the sake of bilateral trade.
The trade wing of the Pakistani embassy in Moscow has forwarded the English translation of the Russian authority’s letter to the Department of Plant Protection (DPP) in the Ministry of Food Security and other relevant government offices. The embassy has requested an immediate investigation and the sharing of investigation results with the FSVPS to avoid a potential ban on rice exports in the future.
Additionally, the FSVPS has formally communicated with the director of the DPP, seeking increased cooperation in the field of plant quarantine. This highlights the importance of strengthening phytosanitary measures and ensuring compliance with international standards.
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 approximately two years and was lifted after negotiations between officials from both countries. In December 2006, Russia also halted rice imports from Pakistan due to concerns over food safety standards.
Sources:
– [Business Standard](https://www.business-standard.com)
