Russia lifts ban on import of rice from Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Russian government has lifted ban on import of rice from Pakistan.

An official said that Russia has lifted the ban on import of Pakistani rice based on implementation of Department of Plant Protection (DPP) plant quarantine division phytosanitary guidelines document in rice establishments under Ministry of National Food Security and Research (NFS&R).

Muhammad Sohail Shahzad, director technical quarantine of the DPP was negotiating with the NPPO Russia for the last year for lifting of ban on import of Pakistani rice in Russia and provided Russia all requisite technical information, assurances on Pakistan Plant Quarantine system, pest surveillance and control program in rice growing area in rice establishments.

He said that in the first step four rice establishments two from Karachi, one from Lahore, and one from Chiniot have been approved by the NPPO Russia for import of rice from Pakistan to Russia.

The permission to others rice units shall be subject to virtual verification by plant quarantine division of DPP, he said.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2021