July 2, 2012
Russia removes import restriction on EU''s PAP feed
Importation of livestock products from EU, including PAP (processed animal protein) feed, which has been banned by Russian veterinary services since March 2012, will be restored, as Russia''s Veterinary Service and the EU have finally reached an understanding in terms of the import of animal products to Russia.
Rosselkhoznadzor head, Sergei Dankvert, and deputy director general of the European Commission Directorate General for Health and Consumer Protection (DG SANCO), Ladislav Miko, recently met in Brussels. Discussed at the meeting were issues of security of supply to the territory of the Customs Union, livestock production and an unstable epizootic situation with regard to the Schmallenbergvirus.
As a result, Dankvert and Miko considered the possibility of ending the ban on animal products, and in particular of live pigs from the EU.
"If the International Epizootic Bureau confirm that there are no new cases of the disease in Spain, Belgium, Luxembourg, Rosselkhoznadzor believes it is possible to discuss the resumption of supplies to Russiaand transit through its territory of livestock products." the Ministry of Agriculture of Russia said in a statement published in a recent official report.
A partial ban will remain only for the Netherlands and France, whose products Rosselkhoznadzor consider least comply with the safety requirements of the Customs Union.
"With regard to France and the Netherlands Rosselkhoznadzor considers it possible to agree an addition to the existing veterinary certificates. According to this addition veterinary services will grant the permit on the import of cattle and genetic material from those countries, only if the animals are grown in areas free from the Schmallenberg virus." the statement added.