The Russian Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing (Rospotrebnadzor) does not exclude recycling banned Turkish products after January 1, 2016, the Head of Rospotrebnadzor Anna Popova told journalists Thursday. "This question is currently being discussed. It does not matter how we recycle products — it must not enter the country. Any production that does not meet the quality requirements will be recycled. There are various methods, it always existed and is happening independently of the external challenges," Popova said, answering a question from TASS about the future of the banned production from Turkey that will be withdrawn from the retail. Russia has banned import of tangerines, tomatoes, and a number of other products from Turkey from January 1, according to the government decree on implementation of presidential decree on special economic measures against Turkey, press service of the cabinet of ministers reported on Tuesday. Thus, starting from January 1 Turkey will be banned from importing fruits (oranges, tangerines, grapes, apples, pears, apricots, peaches and nectarines, plums, wild strawberries and strawberries) and vegetables (tomatoes, cucumbers, cauliflower, broccoli, yellow onions) to Russia. Also, the ban concerns supplies of frozen turkey and chicken, as well as fresh Turkish pinks and salt. Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on November 28 on measures to ensure national security and protect Russian citizens from criminal and other unlawful actions and on the special economic measures against the Turkish Republic. The document particularly bans or restricts imports of separate kinds of commodities outlined by the government from Turkey to Russia. According to the data provided by Russia's Agriculture Ministry, in 2014 Turkish imports of food and agricultural products to Russia totaled $1.7 bln. Turkish food accounted for 4% of Russia's total food imports, with the main items being fruits, vegetables and nuts. According to the Ministry, in 10 months of 2015 import of agricultural products and food from Turkey reached $1.035 in value terms, which is a 21.2% decrease compared with the same period in 2014.
