Russia could ban import of Indian rice, oil seeds

Russia may impose a ban on the import of rice, sesame and groundnuts from India if it fails to take corrective measures following the seizure of several Indian food products which had banned pesticides and other contaminants.

Russia may impose a ban on the import of rice, sesame and groundnuts from India if New Delhi fails to take corrective measures following the seizure of several shipments of Indian food products which had banned pesticides and other contaminants.

Several shipments of Indian rice, sesame and groundnuts were seized after finding banned pesticide, contaminants and insecticides in the them, agriculture watchdog Rosselkhoznadzor declared.

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The watchdog urged India to provide safety certificates on its food exports, including the use of pesticides and other specifics.

"If India fails to comply with the requirement, Rosselkhoznadzor will impose restrictions starting May 1, until measures are taken to guarantee compliance with Russian food safety standards," the agriculture watchdog said in a release.

Earlier, Russia had introduced a ban on the import of rice and other agri products from Pakistan, after a dangerous bug was found in the shipments from that country.