By Alexander TanasCHISINAU (Reuters) - Pro-European authorities in Moldova on Friday dismissed as groundless a ban imposed by Russia on imports of its fruit and vegetables, the latest display of deteriorating relations between Moscow and the ex-Soviet state.
Russia's farm goods oversight agency, Rosselkhoznadzor, said on Thursday it was reinstating restrictions last imposed in 2022.
It cited "continuous, systematic observation of elements subject to quarantine" and said Moldovan authorities had taken no action to right the situation.
"The decision by the Russian authorities contradicts phytosanitary principles and is in no way grounded in real arguments," it said in a statement.
We ship to 28 countries," Iurie Fala, Executive Director of the Moldovan Fruit Producers Association, told Reuters.
Persons:
Alexander Tanas CHISINAU, ANSA, Maia Sandu, Sergei Lavrov, Lavrov, Fala, Alexander Tanas, Ronald Popeski, Sandra Maler
Organizations:
Moldovan, European Union, Moldovan Fruit Producers Association, Reuters
Locations:
Moldova, Russia, Moscow, Soviet, Ukraine, Romania, Russian