Within the next few days Belarus will work out new methods to fully rule out the re-export of food to Russia, BelTA learned from Vasily Pivovar, Director of the Veterinary and Food Oversight Department of the Belarusian Agriculture and Food Ministry.

“We need precise rules to rule out re-export and illegal transit. The veterinary service, the sanitary service, and the customs service are busy working out the rules. I think the new approaches will be worked out within the next few days to the satisfaction of both sides,” said the official.

According to Vasily Pivovar, on 31 October a conference took place in the Agriculture and Food Ministry to discuss the streamlining of the current system (including permits for importing fish and other foods) taking into account changes in Russia's requirements after sanctions against many European suppliers were enforced. The Director of the Veterinary and Food Oversight Department remarked that measures are being taken to prevent mala fide schemes, including import of fish and meat raw materials from outside Belarus.

Mass media quoted the Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance of Russia (Rosselkhoznadzor) recently as saying that some Belarusian companies, which have just been licensed to supply fish products to the Russian Federation, violated veterinary and sanitary norms and may have been involved in the illegal import of fish from Norway. No complaints about major Belarusian companies were expressed.

“Russia does not prohibit import of fish. Fish just has to be properly processed in Belarus. Last week the Veterinary and Food Oversight Department in association with the sanitary service examined a number of key companies involved in the import and deep processing of fish. Seven companies specialize in it. Their sanitary status is exemplary,” Vasily Pivovar said while talking about the fish import situation.

BelTA reported earlier that on 6 August President of Russia Vladimir Putin signed an executive order to enforce a number of special economic measures to ensure the security of the Russian Federation. For a period of one year the document introduced restrictions on agricultural imports from the countries that back sanctions against Russia. The decree reads that the measures have been taken for the sake of protecting national interests of the Russian Federation. The list of agricultural imports, which can no longer be imported to Russia, includes beef, pork, poultry meat, fish, cheese, milk, fruits and vegetables from Australia, Canada, the European Union, the USA, and Norway.


 

BelTA