How Russian tea restriction was removed ... with conditions imposed

How Russian tea restriction was removed ... with conditions imposed

The restriction imposed by Russia for tea from this country has been removed from the 30th. The discussion which took place between Sri Lankan Technology committee related to Attorney General's Department, the Tea Board and Agriculture Department with authorities of the government of

Russia has paved the way towards this decision.

The Russian government had imposed a 6 month temporary ban on the import of Sri Lankan tea from last 18th stating that an insect called Khapra was detected in a container sent to Russia and incidentally Russia was the most leading country among buyers of tea from our country. Earlier there were rumours that the aforesaid restriction was imposed because of imports of asbestos imported to Sri Lanka from Russia was to be suspended from next January 1st. Whatever it is, the cabinet has taken steps to change that decision.

Chairman of the Tea Board, Rohan Pethiyagoda and Sri Lankan Ambassador of Russia, Dr. Saman Weerasingha have been at the forefront in this discussion to relax this ban while on behalf of Russia the Head of Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance Institute, Sergei Dankwort attended the discussion. As a result of the discussion, Russia has announced that the relevant restriction would be removed with effect from December 30th. It was also understood that the communication sent by President Sirisena to Russian President Vladimir Putin and the co-operation which existed between the authorities was the primary cause for this change. In future, several conditions have been imposed relating to exports to Russia, such as fumigation methods of containers.