Citing poor quality, Russia bans Indian rice

On Tuesday, Russia banned imports of rice, groundnuts and sesame seeds originating from India citing poor quality of its produce.

"Actual ban was in force from May 1, but import was allowed on the basis of earlier issued certificates. Now a complete ban has come into force as Indian authorities have failed to take proper (quality) control measures," Interfax reported, quoting agriculture watchdog Rosselkhoznadzor.

Moscow had earlier claimed to have found several consignments of Indian rice, groundnuts and sesame seeds contaminated with pests. In January, it had intercepted 54 tons of Indian groundnut infested with pests dangerous for grain crops.

In March, pests were found in 125 tons of rice imported from India, while a month earlier a consignment of sesame seeds contaminated with fungus, alpha toxin B1

and metallic impurities was stopped by Rosselkhoznadzor.

According to the Indian embassy, two countries are in the process of resolving the issue, even as New Delhi has strongly spoken against the total ban.

"We don't think that the European Union, the US and other importers of Indian rice and groundnuts care less for the health of their citizens. We are strongly opposed to the total ban. However, we respect Russia's right to blacklist companies supplying contaminated commodities," an Indian diplomat said, speaking on the condition of anonymity.