Argentina: Important profits with organic rice in Entre Rios

Russia stops all import of rice from India as of Tuesday,
the federal food quality watchdog Rosselkhoznadzor.
 
  The ban also applies to sesame seeds and peanuts.
 
  The ban was originally imposed May 1, but deliveries under certificates
issued by Rosselkoznadzor prior to May 1 were allowed. After Tuesday there will
be Indian rice allowed to cross the Russian border, whether it comes from India
or from third countries.
 
  When imposing the ban May 1 Rosselkhoznadzor said it had warned the Indian
authorities in March that the rice coming from that country was contaminated
with substances dangerous to human health, but the Indians had not taken proper
measures to improve the situation.
 
  India is the third largest supplier of rice to Russia. Russia consumes
650,000 metric tons of rice a year, with 350,000 tons imported. India supplied
in 2006 48,000 tons of rice to Russia, 14.2% of Russia's total rice imports.
 
  Rosselkhoz officials visited India in February and found faults in Indian
health safety control. Indian farmers supplying rice to processing enterprises
do not supply information on the pesticides they have used.
 
  Rosselkhoznadzor suggested at the time that within a month a new system be
organized whereby all rice exported to Russia should be accompanied by
documents specifying the pesticides used while growing and storing the
harvested rice, including the amounts of pesticide applied and the date of the
last treatment.
 
  Rosselkhoznadzor is saying now that no steps have been taken by Indian
officials to implement the Russian suggestions.