Tehran - Russian authorities have reported a significant year-on-year decline in Iranian agricultural shipments failing to meet phytosanitary requirements, welcoming progress in compliance as Tehran and Moscow move to strengthen technical cooperation and facilitate agricultural trade.

 

Experts from Russia’s Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (Rosselkhoznadzor) confirmed the decline during an online meeting with officials from Iran’s Plant Protection Organization, according to a report on the discussions.

 

The meeting brought together senior officials and experts from both countries to review compliance with plant health and quarantine regulations governing bilateral agricultural trade.

 

Both sides identified enhanced monitoring of pesticide residues in exported agricultural products and more effective measures to prevent the spread of pests through plant shipments as key priorities for technical cooperation.

 

Russian officials welcomed the reduction in non-compliant shipments while stressing the importance of maintaining rigorous inspections, strengthening coordination between the relevant authorities, and addressing phytosanitary barriers to agricultural trade.

The two countries also agreed to pursue joint training programs, reciprocal expert visits, and more effective mechanisms for the official exchange of technical information and documentation.

The proposed measures are intended to improve coordination between regulatory authorities, strengthen phytosanitary controls, and facilitate agricultural trade in line with mutually agreed requirements and protocols.