Russia prevents import of over 6 mln tonnes of diseased plant products in 2011
MOSCOW. Jan 16 (Interfax) - Rosselkhoznadzor, the Russian veterinary and phytosanitary oversight body, prevented more than 6.27 million tonnes of diseased plant products from being imported to the country in 2011, saving the economy an estimated 1.8 trillion rubles in damages, the watchdog said in a statement.
More than 26 million tonnes of imported plant products were inspected. The inspectors reported more than 2,000 cases involving more than 38 species that are subject to quarantine in Russia.
More than 40 million tonnes of imported and Russian cargo was inspected at the border, and more than 5,000 cases involving 30 types of plant products subject to quarantine in Russia were reported, preventing 900 billion rubles in damages.
Most of the diseased products originated in Lithuania, Poland, Denmark, Britain, France, Israel, Turkey, China, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. A ban on Egyptian potato imports, imposed on June 3, 2011, is still in place.