CHISINAU, 2 February. /Corr. Benjamin Demidetchi/. Moldovan journalists have exposed the criminal scheme of import to Russia fruits, to which in 2014 the Rosselkhoznadzor imposed restrictions because of quality problems. This is stated in the published paper the Association of reporters involved in the investigation and publishing security in Moldova(RISE Moldova), whose revelations have already caused the arrest of several officials in the Republic.
“We found that, for a fee in Chisinau you can get all the necessary documents, including phytosanitary certificates for export to Russia of any agricultural products, until non-existent,” said the editor of the Russian Department of the Association Mr Control.
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From the collected journalists the documents that the two private companies Alvi Grupp and Dufrimol from August to September of 2015 in Russia sent 300 trucks of apples and plums from the gardens non-existent. “In the documents issued by the National Agency for food safety (the AGENCY) indicated that the products grown in the village of Katerinovka (Transnistria) where there are no orchards,” reads the article. This information to journalists was confirmed by the Transnistrian Ministry of agriculture and natural resources.
The publication notes that on paper the two companies owned a total of approximately 1300 hectares of Apple trees and plum orchards in this village. “We found that in the presence of such areas it is possible to obtain a permit for the export of approximately 15 thousand tons, representing about 10% of the total fruit export to Russia”, – said the Control.
According to him, investigation was made, when as the head of the AGENCY was Alexander Ciobanu, retired from this post last year after the first revelations of the Association. “Today, however, he again works on the phytosanitary Department and is responsible for the implementation of EU directives,” said the Control. He noted that this fact will be dedicated the following investigation of journalists.
In July 2014, Russia imposed temporary restrictions on import of Moldovan fruit due to non-observance of the Russian legislation in the sphere of quality. In particular, some parties revealed that larvae of butterflies East of the Codling moth that attacks the fruits and young shoots. Moscow later agreed to partially unblock the export of Moldovan products that comply with Russian standards. To guarantee the quality of the AGENCY pledged.
