Russia could soon obtain right to export buckwheat, oats, flax, sunflowers to China - Rosselkhoznadzor
MOSCOW. Aug 1 (Interfax) - Russia could soon obtain the right to export buckwheat (groats), oats (flakes), flax and sunflower seeds to China.
The Russian agricultural watchdog Rosselkhoznadzor said that specialists from both countries "have agreed to make mutual efforts to sign a protocol on the supply of these products as soon as possible."
In addition, the parties have been discussing a protocol on wheat to include the Chelyabinsk and Amur regions onto the list of regions with approval to supply the Chinese market from the Chinese Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ).
"Unfortunately, despite repeated proposals from Rosselkhoznadzor for the Chinese side to conduct inspections of wheat cultivated in Kurgan Region, AQSIQ officials have categorically refused to carry out such inspections in 2017. The reason for the refusal was a busy inspection schedule in other countries. However, an agreement has been reached with AQSIQ on their readiness to conduct inspections in 2018," the statement said.
Currently four Russian regions have the right to export wheat to China: Krasnoyarsk and Altai territories and Novosibirsk and Omsk regions.
In addition, Rosselkhoznadzor invited AQSIQ specialists to conduct inspections of bean, sorghum and millet cultivation and storage facilities to resolve the matter of supply of these products to China. AQSIQ has accepted the proposal for consideration.
The Chinese side also confirmed that AQSIQ inspections of Russian sugar plants will take place in October 2017. This concerns possible supply of sugar beet pulp to the Chinese market.