MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
(SHRI JAIRAM RAMESH)
a) Details of export of rice from India to Russia during the last three years are :
2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 Qty Val : Qty Val : Qty Val : : MTs Rs Lakhs : MTs Rs Lakhs : MTs Rs Lakhs
Basmati 206.73 76.65 94.42 38.96 179.20 70.96
Non Bas 74952.40 5572.59 3769.02 458.63 24776.34 2805.54
TOTAL 75159.13 5649.24 3863.44 407.59 24955.54 2876.50
Source : DGCIS
b) & c) Yes Sir. The Russian Agency on Veterinary & Phytosanitary Surveillance
(ROSSELKHOZNADZOR) issued a notification on 27th April, 2007 imposing a ban on import
of Rice from India to Russia due to the purported detection of pesticides.
d) & e) The Russian side has stated the cause as detection of dimethoate, which is
not admissible under Russian regulations.
f) to h) Yes Sir. Earlier on 4/12/2006, Russian Agency on Veterinary & Phytosanitary
Surveillance (ROSSELKHOZNADZOR) issued a press release announcing a suspension on import
of rice from Thailand , Vietnam, Sri Lanka , USA including India due to the purported
detection of pesticides.
As a result of efforts made by the Government of India to revoke the announced suspension,
a delegation from the Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance of
the Russian Federation (FSVPSRF) visited India during 19th to 24th February, 2007 . At
the end of the visit, a protocol was negotiated which has now been signed by both the
sides.
However the ban imposed recently with effect from 1.5.2007 is violative of the Protocol
and the Government of India is taking up the matter with the Russian authorities.
