Rosselkhoznadzor outlines conditions for resumption of rice supply from Pakistan

MOSCOW. Oct 31 (Interfax) - Russian plant and animal health watchdog Rosselkhoznadzor has outlined conditions for resumption of rice supply from Pakistan.

The Pakistani National Food Security and Research Ministry has already sent Rosselkhoznadzor materials on the adjustment measured taken, the service said following a meeting between its deputy head Anton Karmazin and Muhammad Shaukat Hayat, trade representative of the Pakistani embassy in Russia. "The Russian side will request additional information on Pakistani enterprises. In the future, agencies will approve a schedule of video inspections after which Rosselkhoznadzor will consider the issue of lifting the restrictions on rice import," the press release said.

The Russian side, for its part, said some Russian manufacturers are interested in supplying to the Pakistani market meat, fish, dairy and egg products, fodder and food additives. Rosselkhoznadzor has suggested that the Pakistani side consider the possibility of providing access to Russian animal products to its market under the agency's guarantees, with subsequent inspection, is need be.

The sides agreed to hold a meeting between the relevant agencies on this matter in the near future.

The restrictions on the import of grain and grain processing products from Pakistan, and also thee Pakistani products from third countries were imposed on May 18, 2018 after live khapra beetle, which is a quarantine object for Russia and the countries of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) was found in rice batches.

Rosselkhoznadzor allowed the supply of rice from four Pakistani enterprises in June 2021. This decision was made based on an analysis of materials on fixing the problems received from a relevant Pakistani authority.