Russia's Federal Agency for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Supervision (Rosselkhoznadzor) has been in talks with Moldovan officials with a view to resuming apple exports from the former Soviet state.

According to the authority, the Moldovan National Food Safety Agency is ready to give guarantees that all apple exports will meet strict criteria, food safety regulations and it has a list of exports ready to begin trade.

Various Moldovan fresh produce items were banned last year ahead of the Europe-wide embargo on fruit and vegetables which has led to severe pressures on the sector.

In December, the European Parliament backed a proposal to allow Moldova to export 40,000 metric tons (MT) of fresh apples, 10,000MT of table grapes and 10,000MT of plums duty-free to the EU to help alleviate producers severely hit by what was agreed to be a politically motivated Russian ban.

The majority of the fruits and vegetables were supplied to neighboring Romania.

Resuming apple imports to Russia would help to further ease problems, however according to Rosselkhoznador's website, the Moldovan export system will be closely examined before any trade begins again to ensure the produce adheres to international phytosanitary requirements.

An official from the National Food Safety Agency of Moldova who did not wish to be named confirmed to www.freshfruitportal.com that Rosselkhoznadzor representatives would be auditing apple export processes.

"We would like harmony between the two countries so that we can get back to trading certain produce," he said.

"Moldovan apples are perfectly safe and of good quality; they are fit for export to Russia and we want to start exporting as quickly as possible.

"We can provide all of the necessary documentation and certification to support the safety of produce and make Russia understand there is no need for restrictions."

Meanwhile, Rosselkhoznadzor’s website also states that quarantine phytosanitary testing of seed potato samples from Germany and the Netherlands was carried out between Dec. 5-13 last year, and now specific quantities will be allowed into Russia.

"No quarantine objects for the Russian Federation were found in the samples," says a notice on the website.

"In this context import of 18,092 tons of seed potatoes from Germany and 12,847.6 tons from the Netherlands to the Russian Federation is permitted.

"The corresponding notifications were sent to the Russian Federation Customs Service, Dutch and German national plant protection organizations and the Rosselkhoznadzor Territorial Administrations."

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