Russia to ban meat and dairy imports from 11 German companies starting Dec. 10, citing failed inspections
Nevin Barich
MOSCOW
,
November 23, 2012
(Interfax Information Services)
–
Russia will on December 10 ban meat and dairy imports from 11 Germany companies.
Russian agriculture watchdog Rosselkhoznadzor chief, Sergei Dankvert, told Interfax that the decision follows an inspection of the companies, which was carried out by Russian and Germany veterinary specialists from October 28 to November 10 2012.
The ban will affect dairy producers Neuburger Milchwerke GmbH & Co.KG, Bayernland eG, Alpenhain Kasespezialitaten-Werk GmbH & Co KG, pork companies Sonac Lohne GmbH, Rudolf Marth Inh. C.J. Kersting e.K., DIF Organveredlung Gerhard Kupers GmbH & Co. KG, and meat producers Windau GmbH & Co. KG, VAKU-Fleischspezialitaten GmbH & Co. KG, OSI Food Solutions Germany GmbH, H.& E. Reinert Privatfleischerei GmbH & Co. KG, Allfein Feinkost GmbH & Co. KG.
"The inspections confirmed our fears that Germany is lacking the necessary veterinary control, it does not implement the veterinary and sanitary norms and requirements of the Customs Union," Dankvert said.
Veterinary bodies often incorrectly certify animal origin products intended for export to Russia. "In essence we are coming across falsified information in veterinary certificates - they contain inaccurate numbers and manufacturer names, labels and production dates do not match the real data and the type of product is incorrectly stated," he said.
Dankvert said it was particularly worrying that when producing goods that are then to be sent to Russia often ingredients are used from third countries, including China and Pakistan, as well as ingredients produced at European companies that do not have the right to import to Russia.
He also said that under the present conditions supplies of intestine and meat products to Russia would only be possible if each consignment is accompanied by a written guarantee and a veterinary certificate confirming the product was produced and prepared exclusively in Germany companies with the right to export to Russia.
Rosselkhoznadzor put its position in writing in a letter to German Chief Veterinary Officer Karin Schwabenbauer where he commented on plans to carry out further inspections of German meat and dairy companies in February 2013.
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