According to “Rosselkhoznadzor” representatives, additional requirements for imports of pork and other products from Belarus introduced are due to the risk of African swine fever spread.
Now special permits from the Russian inspection authorities will be needed for both live pigs and for processed products. Among other things subject for extra control are cheese or pasta, which “are composed of sausage meat from pigs or pig blood”. Restrictions now also cover cornmeal which is used most often for feeding pigs (wheat, rye, barley, etc.).
Press secretary of “Rosselkhoznadzor” Yulia Melano has commented on the new restrictions and reminded that the Belarusian side is using similar measures in respect of pork from Russia since 2015. She said that despite the numerous appeals to the official Minsk to lift the restrictions, the issue remained unresolved.
Already difficult relations between Belarus and “Rosselkhoznadzor” at the beginning of the month have deteriorated even more. On February 3, during a meeting with journalists, Lukashenka did not rule out the possibility of a criminal case against the head of the Russian “Rosselkhoznadzor” agency Sergei Dankvert, who, in turn, advised to bring order to the Minsk enterprises.
