Trade structures of Russian Federation interrupt Moldovan wine sales at the order of Rospotrebnadzor

Starting 30 March the majority of businessmen of Russian Federation interrupted selling of Moldovan and Georgian wines according to order of Rospotrebnadzor, which previously banned wine import of these states. Total losses of Russian companies, as result of interrupting the commerce will get over 100 million dollars, according to Russian newspaper Kommersant. Retailers were informed about the necessity to interrupt wine commerce through a special letter, sent by territorial structures of Rospotrebnadzor service. The head of the latter one, Ghenadii Oniscenko signs the letter. Many trade companies of Russia confirmed that they have received such a letter, including Metro network. Russia interrupted wine imports of Moldova starting 27 March 2006, on the ground that it contains an increased level of pesticide and metal, hundreds of wagons of TIRs being blocked at the customs between Ukraine and Russia. A delegation of Moldova, lead by the manager of Agro-industrial Company Moldova-Vin, Valeriu Mironescu, left urgently for Moscow in order to solve this problem. The result of the negotiations is not known yet. The parliament get involved in solving the problem, preparing five letters, in this sense, to colleagues of Russia. Many local and foreign experts affirm that appeared problems in commercial relations between Russia and Moldova have rather a political character than an economic one. Now, 85% of Moldovan wines are exported on Russian market, annual supplies getting over 250 million dollars. Moldova is the biggest wine supplier on Russian market, having a share of 60%.