Russian ban on rice import from India violates agreement; Minister

New Delhi, May 15 (UNI) The Russian ban on import of rice from India beginning this month is violative of the protocol signed by the two countries in February, Minister of State for Commerce Jairam Ramesh informed the Lok Sabha today.

In a written reply, he, however, said the Indian government is taking up the matter with the Russian authorities.

This is the second time in last five months, Russia has suspended import of rice from India. Earlier, they had done so on December 4, last year.

The Minister said the Russian Agency on Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (ROSSELKHOZNADZOR) notified the ban on April 27 due to purported detection of demethoate, a pesticide, which is not admissible under Russian regulations.

He said the Russian agency, on December 4, 2006 , had also suspended import of rice from Thailand, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, United States and India due to similar reason. When Indian government sought revocation, a delegation from the Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance of the Russian Federation (FSVPSRF) visited India in February when the protocol was negotiated and signed, he added.

UNI