You're reading: Agriculture watchdog plans to ban fruit, vegetables imports from Ukraine

Moscow - The Russian agriculture watchdog Rosselkhoznadzor is planning to ban fruit and vegetable imports from Ukraine due to continued infringements of Russian phyto-sanitary standards.

“We are monitoring the produce coming in and are constantly finding breaches, there is a suspicion that we are getting fruit from Moldova under the guise of Ukrainian fruit,” the watchdog told Interfax.

The Russian watchdog has complained to its Ukrainian colleagues various times, but has not received a response. A letter sent in August has also been left unanswered.

“In this situation we are forced to turn to adequate measures, directed at protecting the domestic market and it is possible that these measures will also be taken for vegetables,” Rosselkhoznadzor said.

Ukraine currently supplies mainly apples, grapes and apricots.

The Federal Customs Service said Ukraine exported $23.3 million worth of fruit and nuts to Russia in 2013.