Russia threatens to ban rice imports from Pakistan due to safety concerns

Russia has issued a warning to Pakistan regarding the import of rice, threatening to ban future consignments if phytosanitary concerns are not addressed. The Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (FSVPS) of the Russian Federation raised concerns over violations of international and Russian phytosanitary requirements in a recent shipment of rice from Pakistan.

The notification, dated April 2, 2024, highlighted the presence of a quarantine organism, “Megaselia scalaris (Loew),” in the rice consignment. The FSVPS has requested an immediate investigation into the matter by the plenipotentiary and trade representative at the Pakistani embassy in Russia.

In response, the trade wing of the Pakistani embassy in Moscow has forwarded the Russian authority’s letter to the Department of Plant Protection (DPP) in the Ministry of Food Security for investigation. The embassy emphasized the importance of adhering to phytosanitary standards to prevent any possible ban on rice exports in the future.

This is not the first time Russia has imposed a ban on rice imports from Pakistan. In 2019, a similar ban was in place for two years, which was lifted after negotiations. In December 2006, Russia also stopped rice imports from Pakistan due to food safety standards not being met.

The FSVPS has urged the DPP director for a higher degree of cooperation in plant quarantine. Both countries are working towards resolving the issue to ensure the safety of agricultural products traded between them. The outcome of the investigation will determine the future of rice exports from Pakistan to Russia.