Greek cos may return to Russian market as soon as food embargo lifted - Russian food watchdog
MOSCOW. Sept. 14 (Interfax) - Greek companies that passed Russian inspections can renew exports to Russia on a priority basis if sanctions are lifted, the Russian Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (Rosselkhoznadzor) said following bilateral consultations between Russian Deputy Agricultural Minister Sergei Levin and Greek Secretary General of Agricultural Policy Harlambos Kassimis.
This concerns 15 food processing enterprises, including meat, milk and fish. In April 2015, Rosselkhoznadzor made a number of criticisms during an inspection which the Greek side is eliminating.
As a member of the European Union, Greece currently cannot export meat and meat products, fish and fish products, milk and milk products, vegetables and fruits to Russia because of the food embargo. The ban was imposed on August 7, 2014 and extended until the end of 2017.
Rosselkhoznadzor said earlier that after the food embargo is lifted only those suppliers which have been inspected by Russian specialists will be able to return to the Russian market. This includes those enterprises that supplied their products before the ban was imposed.
Despite the current temporary ban on supplies of planting material and potato seeds from EU countries, during negotiations Rosselkhoznadzor confirmed its readiness regarding a request by the Greek quarantine service to travel to Greece for pre-shipment inspections of plant stock (vineyard and orchard crop) seedlings prepared for shipment to customers in Russia.
