Unless the food safety requirements are met, the import of Indian rice to Russia might be banned completely beginning from May 1, 2007, says the spokesperson for Rosselkhoznadzor (the state agricultural watchdog). India was asked to deal with its crops within a month so as to provide each shipment with documents about what pesticides (as well as how much and when) were used in production and storage of rice.

‘If they fail to meet these requirements, Rosselkhoznadzor will have to put limits on rice import from India, or even ban it completely until this rice meets Russian safety standards,’ the spokesperson says.