Experts see political motives in ban imposed by "Rosselkhoznadzor" on import of Turkish vegetables

Starting from the beginning of 2016, the "Rosselkhoznadzor" (Federal Agency for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Control) has banned the import to the Krasnodar Territory of 62.5 tons of vegetables from Turkey, despite the fact that the goods were not included in the sanctions lists. The phytosanitary inspection may be used as a political leverage, experts report.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on January 12, it became known that the "Rosselkhoznadzor" stopped the import to the Krasnodar Territory of 39.5 tons of Chinese cabbage from Turkey, contaminated with western flower thrips. On the other day, it was reported on the detention of 23 tons of Turkish sweet pepper.

Let us remind you that on November 28, 2015, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on special economic measures against Turkey to impose sanctions on the import of goods from Turkey, including poultry, vegetables, and fruits.

Natalia Volchkova, Professor of the Russian School of Economics, does not rule out that the ban of the import of Chinese cabbage and sweet pepper from Turkey was politically motivated and that the goods were of satisfactory quality. The Professor has noted that when relations between Russia and any country, like Turkey, are deteriorated and trade barriers are used as a punishment, then the control is immediately enhanced, and it reveals a lot of violations.

According to Mikhail Remizov, President of the National Strategy Institute, in addition to the embargo, the "Rosselkhoznadzor" can impose bans on the import of other goods from Turkey, following the example of Moldovan wines and Georgian mineral water "Borjomi".

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.