The Russian government has ordered the Federal Veterinary and Phyto-Sanitary Oversight Service (Rosselkhoznadzor) to tighten control over imports of agricultural products and food from Turkey and arrange for additional inspections on the border and places where these goods are produced.

"Considering repeated violations of Russian standards by Turkish producers, the Russian government has instructed Rosselkhoznadzor to put shipments of agricultural products and food from Turkey under tighter control and to organize additional inspections on the border and at production sites actually in Turkey," Agriculture Minister Alexander Tkachev said in a statement released on Thursday.

The statement said that the ministry has recently been receiving complaints from consumers and industry associations concerning the safety of food and agricultural products imported from Turkey.

"The Agriculture Ministry of Russia has analysed the situation and I informed the Russian government that, unfortunately, an average of 15% of Turkish agricultural products do not meet Russian standards. I'm forced to say that there have been about 40 cases since the start of 2015 where traces of prohibited and harmful substances have been found in Turkish animal products," Tkachev said.

Two Turkish suppliers are currently subject to tighter laboratory control, and temporary restrictions have been imposed against six suppliers.

"Traces of pesticides, nitrates and nitrites that significantly exceed maximum allowable levels have also been found in fruit and vegetable products," the statement said.