Russia has suspended imports of European potatoes

Russia

Wednesday 03 July 2013

Russia has suspended imports of potatoes from the EU.

Potatoes from the EU can no longer enter Russia.

Since July 1, 2013 Russia stopped importing European potatoes, citing concerns over food security. Rosselkhoznadzor agency, responsible for health and veterinary issues in Russia, says that "agricultural wreckers such as nematodes are often found" in European deliveries.

The suspension is temporary according to Russian authorities, but also extends to seed potatoes. In 2012 Russia imported about 460,000 tonnes of potatoes, the majority of which coming from the Netherlands, France and Belgium.

In Belgium, the FASFC (Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain) said that "the most common nematodes are cyst nematodes, a type of round worm living in the ground or on certain plants." Emphasizing that "these nematodes are present everywhere where there are potatoes, so there are also some in Russia." These worms are the cause of an agricultural problem, yield loss, but not a sanitary problem, because they are by no means dangereuse for man.

source : rtle be, 7sur7 be