Agriculture Ministry goes to Moscow to discuss list of fruit and vegetable exporters

Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry Valeriu Cosarciuc will pay a visit to Moscow on September 20. He is to meet with his counterpart and officials of the Russian service for veterinary and phytosanitary supervision Roselhoznadzor to discuss methods of removing the barriers to the export of fruit and vegetables, Info-Prim Neo reports. “The companies that guarantee the safety of the products, are law-abiding and are able to export should be allowed to do it without lists or other artificial hindrances,” the minister said in the National Forum of Table Grape Producers on Saturday. According to Valeriu Cosarciuc, Russia makes lists of exporters of fruit and vegetables even in the relations with the EU. A lower number of exporters can ensure stricter control over the products, consider the Russian authorities. “We must take steps to eliminate these lists as the temptation to break the law results in corruption and bribery,” he said. Valeriu Cosarciuc also said that Moldova will prove that its product safety system meets the requirements formulated by Russia. “I’m sure we will reach an agreement as regards the companies that will be allowed to export fruit and vegetables to Russia,“ he added. Several weeks ago, Russia blocked imports from100 Moldovan exporters of fruit and vegetables, arguing they do not meet the Russian quality standards. About 80% of Moldova’s vegetal exports go to Russia.