The Russian agricultural safety watchdog, Rosselkhoznadzor, has agreed to hold talks with the Sri Lankan Ambassador in Russia over lifting the ban on tea exports. 4

The Sri Lankan authorities said the Russian body agreeing to discuss with the Sri Lankan mission was a positive sign. 

The same body introduced restrictions on the import of plant products (including tea) from Sri Lanka, to take effect for shipments leaving Sri Lanka on or after December 18, 2017. 

This came following the detection of a single specimen of an agricultural pest, the beetle Trogoderma granarium in the packaging material of a consignment of tea shipped from Sri Lanka.

Plantation Minister Navin Dissanayake was due to fly to Russia earlier this week. However, the minister's visit has been delayed due to unknown reasons.