Russia not lifting ban on fish imports from Latvia before Sept 20
MOSCOW. Aug 20 (Interfax) - Russia's Federal Veterinary and Phytosanitary Oversight Service does not plan to lift the ban on imports of fish products from Latvia, imposed on June 4 due to the discovery of hazardous substances, before September 20.
"We've received a translation of reports about the rectification of shortcomings identified during inspections of Latvian enterprises from our Latvian colleagues and will study them until about September 20," the head of the watchdog, Sergei Dankvert told Interfax.
He said that after this there are plans to arrange a meeting with representatives of Latvia's food and veterinary authorities "in order to move forward." The meeting could be held in Moscow or Riga. "This is not an issue," Dankvert said.
However, a "sweeping lifting of the ban should not be expected," he said. "It's quite possible that one or two enterprises might meet the requirements. Judging by the reports of our inspectors, modernization, equipment updates, modern methods of control over content of benzopyrene and other harmful substances are needed there," Dankvert said.