Moldova suspends imports of poultry meat from Ukraine due to safety concerns
CHISINAU. Jan 26 (Interfax) - Moldova has suspended imports of poultry meat and poultry products from Ukraine to ensure food security, the National Food Safety Agency (ANSA) said in a statement.
ANSA told Interfax that "the decision is temporary and was taken to protect the health of consumers in Moldova and ensure that only safe, harmless food products enter the market."
"The decision is based on comprehensive investigations conducted by ANSA into the discovery of the banned substance metronidazole in batches of feed previously imported from Ukraine," the agency said in the statement.
ANSA said the residue monitoring plan presented by the competent authority in Ukraine is inferior to the one applied in Moldova. Testing for banned substances, including metronidazole, is carried out only in muscle tissue, without including blood serum. According to scientific studies and relevant European reference guidelines, metronidazole degrades rapidly in muscle tissue but remains stable in serum and eggs, which limits the ability of import controls to guarantee the absence of banned substances.
Although Ukrainian legislation prohibits the use of metronidazole, ANSA's investigations revealed that the substance is available on the market. Veterinary medicinal products based on metronidazole are being sold and are included in the product catalogues of some Ukrainian veterinary drug manufacturers.
Given the shortcomings revealed in the export country's certification system, as well as gaps in veterinary drug control mechanisms, ANSA believes that at present, adequate guarantees for the safety of poultry meat imported from Ukraine, even with veterinary certificates, cannot be taken.
"The suspension of imports will remain in force until the competent authority in Ukraine provides credible guarantees, in line with national standards, regarding the control of banned substances, product traceability, and the effective functioning of official controls," ANSA said.
Ukraine's overall poultry exports totaled 458,100 tonnes or $1.15 billion in 2025. The EU's share accounted for 30.6% or 139,700 tonnes. The EU, the Middle East and the UK remain key markets. Moldova has been buying approximately 10,000 tonnes of poultry meat from Ukraine annually.
