Russia may ban imports from some meat, fish suppliers in Iceland
MOSCOW. Aug 4 (Interfax) - Russian agricultural watchdog Rosselkhoznadzor may reduce the number of Iceland's meat product suppliers certified to export to Russia from September 1.
"By September 1, 2015, only those enterprises that have taken the necessary measures and met the requirements and standards of the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) and Russia will be included on the list of suppliers of meat and meat products (including fish) authorized to export to Russia," Rosselkhoznadzor said in a statement.
"In other words, Rosselkhoznadzor considers it necessary to update this list by excluding companies that are not able to operate in accordance with the requirements of Russia and the EEU," the statement said.
This measure could be introduced in case the Icelandic veterinary service (MAST) "in the shortest time possible" does not fix violations which were found during inspections at Icelandic companies, which Russian veterinary specialists conducted in November 2014. In particular it is necessary to carry out inspections of companies for their compliance with veterinary-sanitary requirements by Russia and the EEU.
In order to evaluate the effectiveness of the measures taken by Rosselkhoznadzor together with the competent bodies of member governments of the EEU, a selective inspection of Icelandic companies is planned for September 2015.
Additionally, Rosselkhoznadzor said that at a meeting of the heads of the two agencies, Sergei Dankvert from Russia, and MAST director Jon Gislason, which took place on July 14, Rosselkhoznadzor brought attention to the necessity of taking quick measures in order to fix the violations. "Nevertheless, there was no adequate reaction from our Icelandic colleagues. According to the information at hand, the work is not being conducted in part because employees of the competent bodies in Iceland are now on holiday," the statement said.