Russian team to check export quality norms

A top level Russian delegation led by leading sesame seed and groundnut importers is scheduled to visit India for about a week to see a number of certifying laboratories and processing systems in the country for its possible future business dealings.

The delegation is likely arrive in Delhi on October 22 and will visit laboratories in Chennai, Hyderabad, Delhi, Mumbai, Rajkot and Kandla. The visiting members are also likely to study the handling and shipment processes of sesame seed and groundnut from India.

"Although, the programme is almost confirmed, yet we are awaiting the official confirmation from the Russian authority," said the facilitator Sanjay Shah, chairman, Indian Oilseeds & Produce Exporters Association (IOPEA).

Domestic exporters view this visit as significant as imports of the two oilseed were banned in May this year. However, the ban was lifted from September 17 for four months after repeated request and assurances from exporters with conditions to meet stringent quality and thorough certifications procedures. Russia threatened that if India fails to meet the quality specifications, the ban will be re-imposed from January 15, 2008. Russian authorities ruled that every batch of peanuts and sesame must have import quarantine permits, and sanitary, quality and safety certificates issued by Shriram Institute for Industrial Research, an independent non-profit research organisation. All the certificates must meet corresponding Russian requirements.

"About 8 months ago, a Russian delegation visited Shriram Institute for Industrial Research and approved that the institute can certify exporters. But obtaining certification for all shipments separately is not only time consuming but also economically unviable. Hence, we pursued with more laboratories approvals spread throughout the country thus, enabling exporters from all corner to get certification easily," Shah said.

"We are demanding that all Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) certified National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) should certify shipments," he added. The visiting team would study the system followed from harvesting to exports. The members are also likely to check the equipment in the laboratories and stamping modes the exporters are practicing.

Russia's agricultural watchdog has approved the resumption of Indian sesame and peanut imports from September 17.

The country's groundnut exports declined in the first half of the current year to 12275 tonnes compared with 48100 tonnes. However, no data are available for sesame seed exports.