Russian agricultural watchdog may expand list of food exporting countries
MOSCOW. Aug 9 (Interfax) - The Russian agricultural watchdog Rosselkhoznadzor is ready to expand the list of countries exporting food products to Russia, taking into account importers' proposals and provided that they guarantee safety of their products, Rosselkhoznadzor reported citing its chief Sergei Dankvert as saying at a meeting with leading Russian food market operators on Friday evening.
"Rosselkhoznadzor is ready to take into account interest of Russian importers in importing products of this or that enterprise from this or that country that did not join sanctions against Russia," Rosselkhoznadzor said in a statement. "Expert assessment of relevant risks will serve as grounds for a decision on opening supplies from such enterprises under guarantees by the exporting country's veterinary service," it said.
At the present time, Rosselkhoznadzor considers it possible to lift restrictions imposed on foreign suppliers in 2012 and earlier if the veterinary services of these countries inspect them for compliance with Russian standards and offer safety guarantees, Rosselkhoznadzor said. The restrictions imposed in 2013 could be lifted in 2015, it said.
Additional guarantees by industry unions and associations will be taken into consideration in making relevant decisions, it said.
It was reported earlier that Dankvert had had a number of meetings with the ambassadors of some Latin American countries earlier this week, at which the parties discussed the expansion of imports of food products amid restrictions on food imports from countries that imposed sanctions on Russia.
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