Azerbaijan banned the import of tomatoes from Turkmenistan

The Food Safety Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan, as part of its control measures, took samples of tomatoes imported from Turkmenistan for research.

This was reported by BAKU.WS with reference to the Food Safety Agency of Azerbaijan (FSAA).

It is noted that as a result of laboratory studies of the samples, the Tomato brown rugose fruit virus was detected in 11 batches of products.

In connection with the identified fact, a decision was made to remove the product batches from the customs territory or destroy them. Currently, appropriate measures are being taken in accordance with the legislation: a temporary ban on the import of tomatoes from Turkmenistan has been introduced, and a notification has been sent to the relevant authority of Turkmenistan about the need to carry out remedial measures in the farms where the virus was detected.

It is indicated that the Tomato brown rugose fruit virus is mainly found in plants such as tomatoes, eggplants, peppers, and tobacco. Depending on the degree of infection, it causes a loss of 30-70% of the crop in tomato farms. This virus reduces the commercial quality of the product and its shelf life. This plant virus spreads in international trade and across territories through seed material, various parts of plants, including fruits. The ability to spread mechanically plays an important role in the infection of more extensive territories with the virus.