OREANDA-NEWS. September 20, 2010. The Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS Russia) initiated a case against the Federal Service for Phyto-Sanitary and Veterinary Control (Rosselkhznadzor) for the signs of violating Clause 5 Part 1 Article 15 of the Federal Law “On Protection of Competition”, reported the press-centre of FAS Russia.

The case was initiated upon a petition of “MKM” Ltd., which had difficulties obtaining quality and safety certificate for poppy imported to the Russian Federation. According to the petitioner, actions of Rosselkhznadzor restricted its choice of organizations providing such services.

According to the petitioner, Rosselkhznadzor sent a letter of “MKM” Ltd., indicating that laboratory testing to confirm poppy quality and safety can be passed and quality certificate for such products can only be issued by the “Federal Centre for Evaluation of Safety and Quality of Grain and Products of Grain Processing” Federal State Enterprise.

Rosselkhznadzor accredited sixty testing laboratories (centres) that are authorized to issue quality certificates for grain, cereals, compound feed and components for their production, as well as by-products of grain processing.

In course of the case investigation, FAS Russia will have to verify whether actions of Rosselkhznadzor restricted a choice of economic entities providing services for issuing quality certificates for poppy.

The case is scheduled for 26th October 2010.