12 Dec 2019 19:37

Rosselkhoznadzor again discovers pest in bananas from Ecuador, could ban deliveries

MOSCOW. Dec 12 (Interfax) - Russian agricultural watchdog Rosselkhoznadzor could ban deliveries of bananas from Ecuador, the agency said in a statement.

Cases of infestation of bananas from Ecuador with humpback flies have taken on a systemic character. In particular, as part of quarantine phytosanitary control of deliveries from Ecuador arriving on December 11, 2019 in St. Petersburg, an infestation of humpback flies, which are considered quarantine pests in the EAEU was again discovered.

Humpback flies are not found in Russia.

At the same time, the agency reports that guarantees provided by the Ecuadorian side regarding fulfillment of phytosanitary requirements in deliveries to Russia have not been implemented.

Since the introduction and spread of the humpback fly poses a significant threat to the phytosanitary situation in Russia and to the health of citizens, Rosselkhoznadzor reserves the right to ban deliveries of Ecuadorian bananas to Russia if there are repeat instances of such violations.

Ecuador is one of the leading suppliers of bananas to Russia.