Access to Russia remains closed due to the requirement to certify over two seasons that the produce is originated from a Brown rot-free production site. Last year we tried to regain access to this market for summerfruit with the development of an Official Assurance Programme (OAP) with Russia. However, negotiations were difficult and it was hard to establish a programme that is both manageable and cost effective for growers.
Consultation with interested growers indicated last year that they would not participate in this programme due to the high cost of the two rounds of brown rot testing, therefore the application for access to Russia was withdrawn.