Quality of Moldovan fruits, vegetables to be checked in line with EU standards

Chisinau, 19 April /MOLDPRES/ - The quality of fruits and vegetables from Moldova will be checked in accordance with the European Union’s standards, under a cabinet decision due to be published in the 20 April issue of the Official Journal (Monitorul Oficial) of Moldova.

The document sees adjusting the national norms in the sector to the European standards, which will improve the quality of products, protection of consumers’ rights and increasing the exports.   

The controls of fruits and vegetables will be carried out depending on such criteria as nature of the product, production period, origin country and date of carrying out the last control. If decision-makers establish that the product meets the requirements, a certificate of compliance of their quality will be provided. This certificate represents a factor of minimizing the risk of non-observance of the quality requirements.  

Also, the decision establishes the norms concerning the needed verifications in the case of import and export of fruits and vegetables. Thus, before putting products into circulation, the imported consignments will be subjected to a compulsory control (if an equivalent certificate is lacking). At the same time, before the goods meant for export leave Moldova’s territory, at a request by the economic agent, the control body will verify whether they meet the quality requirements of the importing country.         

The provisions will help remove from market the goods of unsatisfactory quality, will ensure market transparency and fair competition. Also, the adjusting to the EU quality standards will give Moldova possibility to ask the EU Commission for inclusion into the list of third countries, the compliance controls of which are recognized as equivalent with the EU requirements.  

(Reporter A. Ciobanu, editor M. Jantovan)