Russia will maintain its ban on Egyptian potato imports until next spring unless Cairo sets up a phytosanitary safety system, the country's food safety authority Rosselkhoznadzor said on Thursday after talks with the Egyptian authorities.
"The parties have agreed that it would be reasonable to create a system of phytosanitary safety for Egyptian ... produce sent to Russia that would allow resumption of potato imports from Egypt starting from next season," Rosselkhoznadzor told RIA Novosti. "If the system is not in place, the ban may be prolonged until spring next year."
Russia banned Egyptian potatoes imports earlier in June, citing health concerns. On June 2, Russia embargoed European vegetable imports over the E.Coli outbreak there.
MOSCOW, June 9 (RIA Novosti)
