Russia warns of ban on Pakistani rice imports over violation in phytosanitary requirements

Russia implemented a ban on the importation of Pakistani rice in May 2019 following the discovery of the Khapra beetle (Trogoderma granarium) in a shipment of rice originating from Pakistan. The ban was lifted after a gap of two long years, however, Pakistan is again facing a similar kind of warning from Russia indicating a potential ban on rice imports in the near future.

This time Moscow has warned Pakistan of the ongoing phytosanitary issues.

The Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (FSVPS) or Rosselkhoznadzor, a federal body responsible for overseeing and regulating veterinary and phytosanitary issues in Russia,has raised concerns regarding violations of the international and Russian phytosanitary requirements discovered in a recent shipment of rice.

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The body which ensures the safety of agricultural and food products and supervises the import and export of agricultural goods to and from Russia, issued a notification onApril 2, 2024.

Notification byFSVPS

Rosselkhoznadzor, in notification numbered FS-SA-3/6592, pointed out at the presence of the quarantine organism "Megaselia scalaris (Loew)" in the rice consignment.

Urging immediate action, the FSVPS requested an investigation into the matter by the plenipotentiary and trade representative at the Pakistani embassy in Russia.

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The notification urged the representative at the Pakistan embassy of preventing such violations in future shipments.Reacting promptly, the trade wing of the Pakistani embassy in Moscow forwarded the English translation of the Russian authority's letter to the Department of Plant Protection (DPP).

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DPP in Pakistan is a regulatory authority responsible for safeguarding plant health and ensuring the quality of agricultural produce and it operates under the Ministry of National Food Security and Research. The letter was also relayed to relevant government offices in the South Asian nation.

The embassy's communication to the DPP in a letter read, “In view of the above, it is requested that an investigation may be conducted immediately and the results of the investigation may please be shared with FSVPS in order to avoid any possible ban on rice exports in the future.”

FSVPS has also directly communicated with the director of the DPP and urged heightened cooperation in the field of plant quarantine.

(With inputs from agencies)