Rosselkhoznadzor that earlier banned import of tomatoes and peppers from Turkey due to the detection of quarantine objects in them is waiting for the information from this country to investigate the facts of sending contaminated products. The agency said in a statement.
“The Russian Department reported that they expect information from the Turkish side on the results of the investigation of each case of contaminated products shipment to Russia, and also asked to specify in phytosanitary certificates for shipments the specific place of origin of tomatoes”, the statement says.
Rosselkhoznadzor noted that representatives of the Russian Department held negotiations with the Directorate of Food and Control of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of the Republic of Turkey on this issue. The parties discussed detection of Pepino mosaic virus, Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV), Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) in Turkish tomatoes. Rosselkhoznadzor had previously had to impose a ban on the import of tomatoes and peppers produces and exported from the provinces of Antalya and Izmir for this reason. In addition to it, the contaminated fruit has been detected in supplies from the provinces of Trabzon and Hatay.
Rosselkhoznadzor emphasized the high degree of danger of these viruses, which is recognized in many countries. Thus, for instance, the USA and the European Union have introduced a stricter control regime with regard to tomato brown rugose fruit virus. “The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Turkey has assured Rosselkhoznadzor that they are carrying out extensive work to prevent exports of tomatoes infected with the aforementioned viruses”, the statement says. In particular, orders have been directed to all regions of the country for mandatory laboratory testing of products for viruses and issuing phytosanitary certificates based on the results of these examinations.
Seed and greenhouse farms are also monitored with PCR diagnostics. The contaminated produce detected during the inspection is destroyed.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
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Based on materials from TASS