National Food Safety Agency says Russia's embargo on Moldovan fruits, vegetables groundless, hits producers

Chisinau, 1 December /MOLDPRES/ - The Russian authorities’ decision to impose an embargo on the Moldovan fruits and vegetables is groundless and hits Moldovan producers. The National Food Safety Agency (ANSA) today made statements to this effect in a reaction to the imposing by Russia of an embargo on the import of fruits and vegetables from Moldova, due to enter into force starting from 4 December 2023.     
„The Moldovan fruits and vegetables are exported to over 80 countries of the world; this year, the quantities of plums and apples exported to European countries have doubled. No notifications on certain infringements were signaled in any countries, except for Russia. The Russian authorities’ decision runs counter the international phyto-sanitary principles and has no real argument at the basis. He European market, which has strict conditions as to the quality of products, has an ever higher demand and appreciates the Moldovan fruits and products. The laboratory reports prove the lack of pests mentioned in the consignments analyzed or the Russian embargo has no connection with the quality of the products from Moldova,’’ ANSA said.   
On 30 November, a press release on the imposing of the embargo on the import of fruits and vegetables from Moldova was published on the official webpage of Russia’s Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (Rosselkhoznadzor). The embargo will enter into force as of 4 December 2023.    
The National Food Safety Agency says that it has not been officially notified by Russia’s authorities on the intention to enforce certain restrictions till today, 1 December.  
Rosselkhoznadzor says that it would have detected more harmful inspects in the Moldovan products (Grapholita molesta, Frankliniella occidentalis, Bactrocera dorsalis etc.), which are banned in the states of the Eurasian Economic Union. ‘’We regard the charges brought as groundless and hasty, as Rosselkhoznadzor was informed in time about the actions undertaken by the Moldovan authority at the first five notifications through an official answer, accompanied by the laboratory reports, which prove the lack of these pests in the consignments of fruits and vegetables,’’ ANSA said.    
The Agency informs that, during the 2023 year, it has received no notification on the problems as to the Moldovan products. And only in the last two months, ANSA has received eight notifications on behalf of the Russian authorities, of which three ones on the period 24-29 November alone. ANSA answered all of them and the last three ones are under examination and official answers will be submitted in the nearest time, after the laboratory results come.  
„Unfortunately, we ascertain that Russia’s Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance uses leverages which run counter the sanitary and phyto-sanitary principles, the goal of which is another but the protection of consumers and of the agricultural branch from Russia,’’ ANSA added.