Russia claims Egyptian oranges pose danger

Specialists of relevant surveillance service of the Novorossiysk port, in the Russian Federation, suspected that a consignment of fresh oranges from Egypt did not meet phytosanitary requirements. Laboratory tests of orange samples revealed the presence of live larvae of dangerous insects - fruit flies, which are included in the list of quarantined objects. Such objects should have been identified by regulatory authorities prior to departure from the territory of the exporting country.

The whole citrus consignment, weighing more than ninety tons, was returned to Egypt in accordance to Russian Federation phytosanitary regulations, where the import of contaminated agricultural products is prohibited.

Authorities say that this is not the first case where Egyptian partners failed to meet their obligations. In the first five months of the year agricultural products imported from Egypt have not met Russian standards more than 20 times. Only citrus has been shipped back, to a total of 1200 tons.