Russian agriculture watchdog to discuss outlook for 2014 with EU in Dec
MOSCOW. Dec 2 (Interfax) - Russian agricultural watchdog Rosselkhoznadzor plans to hold a meeting in December with colleagues at the EU to discuss the results of inspections at European companies in 2013 and the outlook for 2014.
"We will propose a meeting in Brussels or Paris to discuss the problems that have accumulated and determine the direction for next year," Rosselkhoznadzor Chairman Sergei Dankvert said.
One issue to be raised will be fish imports to the Customs Union, especially from Spain, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia and several other countries. These countries have been selected because often in these countries fish from companies that do not have the right to export to Russia are used. Although in accordance with existing regulations both companies that process fish and fish suppliers must be certified to export to Russia and other Customs Union countries, he said. Similar rules apply from the EU and for Russian companies with the right to supply meat products to Europe.
"We want to make it clear to European colleagues that using fish from companies that are not registered to export to Russia is not the right route to select to expand mutual trade," Dankvert said.
This problem will be raised when discussing meat imports from the EU. "From January 2014, the EU is lifting its ban on imports of pork from Romania and it could be that because of the low price of this meat it will be widely used in the production of meat products, including those to be sent to our market," he said. "Imports of pork from Romania to the Customs Union countries are banned and we do not plan to change this decision."
In the upcoming meeting, Russia will ask its European colleagues to make sure exports to Russia are closed to companies that use Romanian pork, he said.
Dankvert said the schedule for inspections will also be discussed. The Russian veterinary service plans to go to Spain for inspections in February. The efficiency of the veterinary service in this country with regard the safety of exports has improved, he said. Recently a ban was lifted on imports of fodder from Spain.
After further inspections the ban on beef and pork from Spain may also be lifted, Dankvert said.
