Russia to ban fish supplies from 485 Norwegian enterprises from Jan 1, 2014
MOSCOW. Dec 31 (Interfax) - Fish supplies from 485 Norwegian enterprises will be banned from January 1, 2014, the Russian Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (Rosselkhoznadzor) told Interfax.
As of now, the list of importers includes 515 companies and 29 of them keep the right to export their products to Russia. "They have been checked by Russian veterinary specialists and have been certified to carry out supplies," the watchdog said. One enterprise will import to Russia under enhanced surveillance.
It has been reported that the restrictions will apply to pelagic fish (herring, mackerel, horse mackerel, capelin etc.). The supplies of salmons will continue. The ban is related to the fact that Norwegian suppliers do not comply with the Russia veterinary and sanitary demands and the Norwegian veterinary service does not carry out necessary control over the safety of supplies.
In 2013 Norway led in terms of violations in fish supplies to Russia, Rosselkhoznadzor Chief Sergei Dankvert said at a recent news conference. About 120 violations were found in 2013, which led to the distrust of the Russian watchdog to the Norwegian veterinary service, he said.
Russia decreased fish imports from Norway in 2013, however it still remains one of the biggest market of Norwegian fish imports. According to the information of the Norwegian fish committee, Norway supplied to Russia 265,700 tonnes of fish and sea food in January-November 2013, which is 11.8% down year-on-year. The imports grew 7.4% to 691 million euro in value terms. Salmon and trout account for over 100,000 tonnes of fish imported.
The share of pelagic fish in global fishing exceeds 70%.