Rosselkhoznadzor lifted a number of restrictions on the importation of livestock from the EU

Since March 20, the Rosselkhoznadzor has lifted the temporary restrictions on supplies to Russia of cattle and small ruminants from the EU, which were introduced several years ago, while retaining a number of conditions for the importation of animals, according to documents of the Russian service.

2019-03-Rosselkhoznadzor-lifted-part-of-restrictions-on-livestock-from-EU-1.jpgRestrictions are also abolished for pigs, however, within the framework of the food embargo imposed in August 2014, the European Union countries are currently unable to deliver live pigs to Russia, with the exception of purebred pedigree animals. "Since March 20, 2019, the temporary restrictions on supplies of animals to the Russian Federation from the European Union (cattle, small cattle and pigs) have been lifted," the document says. However, for deliveries, the fulfillment of a number of conditions is obligatory. The agency clarifies that the shipment of animals should be carried out under the supervision of a Russian veterinary state doctor with the sight of an agreed veterinary certificate, and import into the Russian Federation should be carried out only through control points specialized by the Rosselkhoznadzor.

"The instruction of the Rosselkhoznadzor dated March 2, 2013 No. FS-EN-7/2793 should be considered as no longer in full force," the document adds. Meanwhile, a link on the website of the department leads to the instructions of the Rosselkhoznadzor with the same number, which dates from March 2, 2012: it states that from March 20, 2012 temporary restrictions were imposed on supplies to the Russian Federation from EU Member States of live animals (cattle , small cattle, pigs), with the exception of breeding animals, which are quarantined in the exporting country under the control of veterinary specialists of the Russian Federation.

The ministry’s website also states that the reason for the introduction of these restrictions in 2012 was the Schmallenberg virus, as well as a violation of certification requirements. Rosselkhoznadzor also introduced a number of other restrictions on the supply of animals from EU countries: for example, in December 2018, the ministry restricted the import of cattle and small ruminants from the Santarem municipality of Portugal and the autonomous region of Sardinia due to bluetongue disease.

SOURCE: ria.ru