March 16, 2007	Friday	Safar 26, 1428

KARACHI, March 15: The Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) has been contacting Pakistani Embassy in Moscow and Russian Embassy in Pakistan to find out the facts regarding the supply of infected rice to Russia.

This was stated by REAP Chairman Abdul Aziz Maniya here on Thursday. He said that the ministry of food, agriculture and livestock was also in contact with Russian authorities to resolve the matter. “It is too early to make comments on this issue as we are still inquiring about this,” he added.

Market sources said that Russian inspection authorities had lodged complaint with the concerned authorities two months ago about the presence of pest Khapra beetle in some rice shipments despatched from Pakistan.

However, Mr Maniya said that the pest was found in wheat crop not in rice. Some 20,000 tons of Irri rice was exported to Russia last year, he added.

Russian animal and plant health authority has threatened to impose ban on Pakistani rice from March 19 due to presence of “Khapra beetle” pest.

Sources said that the REAP managing committee had decided to take action against the exporters if they were found guilty of despatching infected rice to Russia. —APP