Russia claims Israeli pepper shipment poses pest risk

Russia has blocked the import of more than 25 tons of peppers from Israel, saying they pose a risk for the spread of western flower thrips. The Russian veterinary and […]
Thu 29/01/2015
Russia’s veterinary and phytosanitary authority Rosselkhoznadzor says more than 25 tons of peppers from Israel were detained at the Black Sea port Novorossiysk due to fear of the spread of the western flower thrip.

Russia has blocked the import of more than 25 tons of peppers from Israel, saying they pose a risk for the spread of western flower thrips.

The Russian veterinary and phytosanitary authority Rosselkhoznadzor said the move followed inspection at its main Black Sea port Novorossiysk, in the region of Krasnodar Krai.

In a statement in Russian on its website, it said the peppers had been detained to prevent the introduction and spread of the pest in the Russian Federation.

The authority also said that in the year to date, quarantine officers in Krasnodar Krai and the Republic of Adygea have already detained 4 pepper shipments, totalling more than 60 tons, because they did not did not meet Russia’s phytosanitary requirements.