Russia, Pakistan poised to approve 14 vet certificates for Russian meat and dairy products - watchdog

ISLAMABAD. Jan 20 (Interfax) - The veterinary authorities of Russia and Pakistan will soon approve 14 veterinary certificates for the supply of Russian meat and dairy products, Artem Daushev, aide to the head of the Russian Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (Rosselkhoznadzor), said at a meeting of the Russian-Pakistani intergovernmental commission in Islamabad on Friday.

"We agreed with our counterparts to complete the approval of 14 veterinary certificates to export livestock products to Pakistan - meat, dairy, fish, as well as animal feed additives - in the near future. In turn, we are ready to consider importing heat-treated beef from Pakistan," Daushev said.

He said trade in agricultural products between the two countries rose 63% in 2022, primarily due to higher supplies of Russian wheat to Pakistan. "Our countries have something to offer each other, but nevertheless we believe that the potential for mutual trade has not yet been sufficiently realized, and we agreed to diversify it," Daushev said.

In particular, Rosselkhoznadzor received from Pakistani colleagues confirmation of their readiness to certify Russian producers to export beef, poultry and other products. In turn, the Russian side is ready to look at the results of the audit of Pakistani rice exporters. Wheat supplies to the Pakistani market will also continue.

In addition, the countries will continue cooperation in veterinary certification, plant quarantine and the fight against animal diseases.