2024-04-24 16:25:11
Islamabad: After American sanctions, Russia has now given a strong warning to Pakistan. Russia has said that if Pakistan does not improve as per our requirement, we will consider imposing sanctions. In fact, India had banned rice exports last year. After this Russia started buying rice from Pakistan. Now the rice that has reached Russia from Pakistan contains harmful substances. Russia has warned that it will again ban rice imports if its phytosanitary concerns are not addressed in future shipments.
What did Russia get in Pakistani rice?
The Federal Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (FSVPS) Service of Russia issued a notification regarding violations of international and Russian phytosanitary requirements on a consignment of rice imported from Pakistan. Notification No. FS-SA-3/6592 dated April 2, 2024 notes the presence of a quarantine organism (plant insect) “Megasellia scalaris (Lowe)” in a consignment of rice from Pakistan. This organism is not good for plant health and poses a risk of spreading disease.
Russia asked Pakistan to bring immediate reforms
The Russian FSVPS has asked the top official and trade representative at the Pakistani Embassy in Russia to immediately investigate the matter. A copy of the notice issued by the Russian authorities shows that the FSVPS has asked the concerned officer at the Pakistani Embassy to prevent such violations in future and to ensure the safety of agricultural products traded between the countries on phytosanitary measures. The importance of following the standards is emphasized.
Pakistani embassy wrote a letter to the food security ministry
Meanwhile, the trade branch of the Pakistani Embassy in Moscow has sent the English translation of the Russian authority’s letter to the Department of Plant Protection (DPP) in the Ministry of Food Safety and other concerned government offices. “In view of the above, it is requested that an investigation be conducted immediately and to avoid any possible future restrictions on rice exports, the results of the investigation may please be forwarded to the FSVPS,” the embassy letter to the DPP said. Be shared together. Meanwhile, FSVPS has also sent an official communication to the Director of DPP, seeking higher level of cooperation in the area of plant quarantine.
Russia has already imposed ban on Pakistani rice
Russia had earlier imposed a ban on similar grounds in 2019, which remained in place for almost two years. It was lifted after several rounds of talks between officials from both sides. Earlier in December 2006, Russia had also stopped importing rice from Pakistan for not meeting the food safety standards.