Russia's ban on rice import is still on

Moscow, Jan 29 (UNI) The Russian Federal Veterinarian and Phytosanitary Control Service has not lifted its ban on rice imports from India, Vietnam and Pakistan.

''We cannot give permission until these countries supply information on their monitoring of the quality of the exported rice, respective laboratories and certificates,'' service head Sergei Dankvert told Interfax news agency today.

Russia suspended its rice imports from all these countries on December 4, 2006, after discovering plenty of inferior and dangerous cereals. Some of the cereals contained pesticides, it said.

Mr Dankvert said service experts wished to visit these countries for answers.

''However, they have not been invited, and we have to wait before issuing import permits,'' he added.

''Russian inspections in Thailand showed that the agency's fears were true as the country had almost no system to monitor harmful additives in rice,'' he said.

UNI