Russia yesterday banned imports of rice, sesame seeds and peanuts from
India, saying some of the goods are dangerous to human health, the Interfax news
agency reported.
The imports of Indian rice, sesame seeds and peanuts via a
third country are also being banned, the report said.
Russia's trade watchdog, the Federal Veterinary and Plant Sanitary Control
Oversight Service, has asked Indian exporters to provide documents about
pesticides used on such goods, Interfax said.
Russia checked imports of 54 tons of peanuts infected with seed worms in
January, imports of 125 tons of substandard rice in March and the delivery of
sesame seeds infected with fungus in February.
Last year, Russia seized more than 2,000 tons of substandard rice, mainly
from India, Pakistan, Thailand and Egypt. India is one of the major suppliers of
rice to Russia.
