Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- During quarantine phytosanitary control of a 1 ton commodity consignment of dried apricots from Uzbekistan, a quarantine object for Russia and the member states of the Eurasian Economic Union was identified - a khapra beetle (Trogoderma granarium Ev.) was detected. 

The pest was found in the larval stage in the amount of 2 pieces per 1 kg of production, which indicates a serious infection of the batch. This is reported by the Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Supervision (Rosselkhoznadzor).

The specified batch arrived in Russia accompanied by an Uzbek phytosanitary certificate certifying the compliance of the products with Russian phytosanitary requirements.

According to the authorities of Uzbekistan, the khapra beetle is considered an object officially eliminated in the country.

In 2008, in connection with the detection of the khapra beetle in dried fruits, the Rosselkhoznadzor already introduced temporary restrictions on the import of all regulated products from the Republic of Uzbekistan, which were later canceled following the results of an audit of the Uzbek phytosanitary control system.

In order to preserve phytosanitary well-being, to prevent the import and distribution of the specified object, the Rosselkhoznadzor reserves the right to impose a ban on the import of dried fruits and nuts from Uzbekistan to Russia.

In the near future, the Rosselkhoznadzor will initiate negotiations with the Uzbek side to discuss the current situation.