The Moldovan Embassy in Russia today is due to present to the Russian sanitary watchdog agency “Rospotrebnadzor” the measures taken by the Moldovan authorities to improve the quality of the wine delivered to Russia, Info-Prim Neo reports. According to the Russian press, a decision on future deliveries of Moldovan wine largely depends on how effective these measures are deemed. Earlier Rospotrebnadzor head Gennady Onishchenko claimed the Moldovan authorities were unable to guarantee the safety of deliveries and considered imposing a ban on imports of Moldovan wine. However, Moldovan Food Industry Minister Valeriu Cosarciuc seems to remain confident in this situation, advising to avoid “panic”. The minister has issued an urgency order to toughen control procedures and safety requirements and has advised wine-makers to ensure the traceability of their products all along the supply chain. In the wake of a ban in 2006, Russia listed its requirements for the imports of Moldovan wine, and dibutyl phthalate, which is the main cited reason for concern this time, wasn't among the blacklisted substances. To avoid further misunderstandings, the minister says the list should be reviewed. Valeriu Cosarciuc also said the Russian market was very important for the Moldovan wine -makers. In the first half of this year, wine exports to Russia totaled over $35 million. Though agreeing with the importance of the Russian market, Alex Oprunenco, analyst with Expert-Grup, insists wine exports should be diversified. “The fact that the European (Union) authorities have agreed to start talks on increasing the quota for Moldovan wine imports is a positive sign. But until we obtain this opportunity, extensive and effective actions are needed to promote the Moldovan wine, which the consumers in the Occident are little familiar with”.