January 23 2008, 10:14

Starting from January 28th Russia will ban imports of Indian plant products

On the 28th of January Russia will ban the imports of plant products from India, as well as plant products of the third countries which obtained the phyto-sanitary certificates issued by National organization on plant quarantine and protection of India.

Russian Agricultural Inspection informed Agrobel.By, Khapra beetle, the quarantine object for Russia, was detected in the shipment of sesame delivered from India. The imports of this shipment of sesame were denied.

The dangerous situation took place despite of the presence of phyto-sanitary certificate issued by National organization on plant quarantine and protection of India. So, this case calls into question the efficiency of the system of phyto-sanitary certification and disinfection of plant products carried out by this organization, and also the system of quality and safety assurance of grain crops and processed products.

Khapra beetle is one of the most dangerous pests for grain and products of the processed grain. The supply of infected plant products constitutes a serious threat for phyto-sanitary security of Russia, Russian Agricultural Inspection informs. The analysis of phyto-sanitary risks shows that Khapra beetle on the territory of Russia may lead to the direct losses of RUR 167-5,726 mln. ($6.71-230 mln.) per year because of culling and wasting of marketable products.

In this regard Russian Agricultural Inspection made the decision to ban the supplies of plant products from India.