Belarusian poultry export ban attributed to CIS Games - Rosselkhoznadzor

MOSCOW. Aug 8 (Interfax) - The restrictions on poultry exports from Belarus introduced as of August 1 are due to the need to meet domestic market demand during the second CIS Games being held from August 4 to 14, Russian plant and animal health watchdog Rosselkhoznadzor reported after agency head Sergei Dankvert held talks with Belarusian Deputy Agriculture and Food Minister Ivan Smilgin.

Rosselkhoznadzor said Russia was concerned about reports from foreign trade participants that the restrictions might have been imposed due to the deterioration of the bird flu situation in Belarus.

In the course of the talks, Smilgin denied this information and said the restrictions were imposed exclusively because of the need to saturate the domestic market, the watchdog said.

Rosselkhoznadzor also said that the Russian market does not depend on imports of poultry products. Domestic producers fully supply poultry to domestic consumers, and also export excess amounts to China, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, Azerbaijan and other countries, including Belarus, the agency said.

"As for imports from Belarus, about 200,000 tonnes of poultry products are shipped to Russia per year on average, while Russian production exceeds 5 million tonnes," Rosselkhoznadzor said.