Russia Warns Pakistan over the potential reinstatement of a ban on rice imports unless their phytosanitary concerns are promptly addressed in future shipments.
Phytosanitary Concerns and Violations Identified
The Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (FSVPS) of the Russian Federation has formally notified Pakistan of significant breaches of both international and Russian phytosanitary regulations observed in a recent shipment of rice imported from Pakistan. This notification, bearing the reference number FS-SA-3/6592 and dated April 2, 2024, highlights the troubling presence of a quarantine organism, identified as “Megaselia scalaris (Loew),” within the rice consignment.
In response to these alarming findings, the FSVPS has urgently requested the plenipotentiary and trade representative stationed at the Pakistani embassy in Russia to initiate an immediate investigation into this matter.
Urgent Calls for Investigation and Cooperation
Further underscoring the gravity of the situation, the FSVPS has stressed the critical need for the relevant authorities to take decisive measures to prevent such violations from recurring in the future. Emphasis has been placed on the indispensable requirement for strict adherence to phytosanitary standards, thereby safeguarding the safety and integrity of agricultural products exchanged between the two nations.
Concurrently, the trade division of the Pakistani embassy in Moscow has taken proactive steps by disseminating the English translation of the Russian authority’s notification to pertinent governmental bodies, including the Department of Plant Protection (DPP) within the Ministry of Food Security.
In their communication with the DPP, the embassy has underscored the urgency of conducting a thorough investigation into the matter and urged for the prompt sharing of investigation outcomes with the FSVPS. Such collaborative efforts are deemed crucial in forestalling any potential imposition of bans on rice exports by Russian authorities in the future. Meanwhile, the FSVPS has directly reached out to the director of the DPP, seeking heightened cooperation and collaboration in the realm of plant quarantine.
This warning from Russia echoes a previous instance in 2019 when a similar ban was imposed on analogous grounds, persisting for duration of approximately two years. It was only through sustained negotiations between officials from both sides that the ban was eventually lifted. Notably, in December 2006, Russia had also suspended rice imports from Pakistan citing failure to meet stringent food safety standards.
