Russia preparing to send meat and veterinary vaccines to South Africa

MOSCOW. April 3 (Interfax) - The prospects for expanding mutual trade in agricultural products were discussed during talks held at the regular meeting of the joint intergovernmental committee on trade and economic cooperation between Russia and South Africa, which was attended by representatives of Rosselkhoznadzor.

According to the service, the Russian side handed over copies of questionnaires with materials to assess the risk of exporting beef, pork and poultry meat from Russia to South Africa. The South African participants said that they would promptly analyze the materials and hold a video conference with representatives of Rosselkhoznadzor in the next two months. After analyzing the risks, they plan to consider the issues of attestation for Russian enterprises and agree on requirements for the import of Russian livestock products.

In addition, the Russian side invited its colleagues to Russia to get acquainted with the enterprises of the Federal Center for Animal Health to expand scientific and technical cooperation in the field of control, prevention and eradication of animal diseases, and raised the issue of exporting veterinary vaccines to the South African market. The participants from South Africa said they were ready to consider the prospects for this type of cooperation.

In turn, the representatives from South Africa requested if they could expand the supply of avocados to the Russian market, as well as start buying nuts and ginger. The Russian service reported that as of now there are no restrictions on the supply of fruits and vegetables from South Africa to Russia.