Rosselkhoznadzor finds pork in Kyrgyz halal products

MOSCOW. April 7 (Interfax) - The Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Supervision (Rosselkhoznadzor) has detected failings in the Kyrgyz state export control system, the latest being the discovery of pork and soya in halal sausage imported by Russia, the watchdog said in a statement on Friday.

The producer, a company based in the Chui region, claims to be in strict compliance with halal technological standards.

"The service also registered violations of the guarantees being provided by the country of its foodstuffs complying with EAEU [Eurasian Economic Union] requirements and norms. The results of an inspection of Kyrgyz fish farms in March 2023 proved the substantiation of Rosselkhoznadzor's position, having confirmed gross systemic failings by the Kyrgyz veterinary service in certifying the consignments exported to Russia," the statement said.

This year the regulator has exposed a scheme of illegal smuggling, via Russia, to a recipient in Bishkek, of pork lard disguised as a product from Paraguay, which means a good of unknown origin and safety level transited the EAEU countries, Rosselkhoznadzor said.

"All listed facts attest to the Kyrgyz veterinary service's inadequate approach to placing Kyrgyz businesses on the EAEU register of suppliers and exercising state control over product shipments to Russia and goods bound for the [Kyrgyz] republic from third countries in transit via the EAEU customs space," the statement said.