Russia's ambassador to Serbia is confident there will be no ban imposed on fruit exports from the country, despite accusations that Polish apples were being re-exported, website b92.net reported. 

The story said that after talking with Serbia's ministers of trade and agriculture, Ambassador Chepurin said there had been no risk that Russia might introduce a ban on Serbian fruit and vegetable shipments.

He reportedly said the relevant authorities would discuss the technical matters relating to exports in the capital Belgrade as soon as next week.

The ministers informed Chepurin about a newly established export control system for fruits and vegetables heading to Russia, which the relevant authorities from both countries put into operation in early March.

The system is said to involve the sending of scanned phytosanitary certificates before shipments are sent to the Russian market, so the authorities know in advance the exact content of the consignments.

Minister of Trade Rasim Ljajic reportedly said Serbian exports to Russia had not been jeopardized, but that more strict checks and certificates would be introduced.

He reportedly added "a communications problem" between the Russian Ministry of Agriculture and the Serbian embassy in Moscow had occured, when "the Russian partners found documents submitted on time only several days later."

Related story: Anxious wait for Serbian apple exporters after Russian accusations

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