Poland concerned about Russian fruit and vegetable import ban

Russia’s veterinary and phytosanitary control authority (Rosselkoznadzor) may ban the import of fruits, vegetables and berries from Poland due to concerns about excessive pesticide residue and nitrate contents, Rosselkhoznadzor’s press service said on Tuesday.

Poland is a major exporter of fruits (primarily apples) to Russia. According to Poland’s official statistics, the country’s overall fruit and vegetable exports to Russia exceeds one billion Euro a year.

Ukraine
Although Russia claims it is a phytosanitary rule, some believe it is in reaction to Poland's support of Ukraine. Polish fruit growers association Europejskie Centrum Owocowe, which has 164 growers of apples, pears and cherries, believes it is not just a warning, but that the ban will probably become reality. He doesn't agree that the quality of the products aren't sufficient. "We produce under European values and our quality is very high. It is a political game and they want to punish the Polish government for their influence in Ukraine."

"If no efficient measures are taken, Rosselkhoznadzor will have to look at imposing a temporary ban on imports of products of high phytosanitary risks from Poland, including those via third countries, to protect Russia’s territories from phytosanitary threats," the press service stressed.

Earlier, Rosselkhozhadzor warned about a possible ban on imports of vegetables and fruits from Poland due to the risk of receiving dangerous and re-export plants from the country in the autumn of 2013.