Russia bans stone fruit, grape imports from Armenia as of June 2

MOSCOW. June 2 (Interfax) - Russian plant and animal health watchdog Rosselkhoznadzor is imposing temporary restrictions on imports of stone fruits - sweet and sour cherries, apricots, plums, peaches and nectarines - and fresh grapes from Armenia effective June 2.

The restrictions apply to products "originating and shipped from the Republic of Armenia," as well as transit of these products to other Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) countries, the agency said.

The decision was made until an algorithm is worked out to ensure the safety of shipped products, it said.

Rosselkhoznadzor said it has found increasingly frequent violations in shipments of Armenian fruit to Russia and repeatedly sent information to the Armenian authorities about violations in supplies of regulated products related to the discovery of organisms subject to quarantine in EAEU countries.

"The increasing incidence of detections points to the consequences of the elimination of the Agriculture Ministry of Armenia. As a result of structural reform, authority was entrusted to the Economy Ministry. Given that recently products shipped from Armenia do not meet the phytosanitary standards of the EAEU and Russia, one can presume that the Economy Ministry of Armenia is having structural problems and cannot handle the powers entrusted to it after the abolition of the Agriculture Ministry," Rosselkhoznadzor said.

This situation jeopardizes the phytosanitary welfare of Russia and the EAEU, as well as the implementation of government programs to support commercial fruit and grape growing in Russia, the agency said.

Russia banned imports of certain types of vegetables and strawberries from Armenia on May 30, and imports of flowers on May 22.