March 6, 2012

Starting March 20 livestock import from the EU will be banned by the Russian Federation, the agricultural watchdog Rosselkhoznadzor said last Friday (Mar 2).

According to Rosselkhoznadzor, the temporary ban is imposed on cattle and pig imports from the EU due to the outbreak of the Schmallenberg virus and the bluetongue in the European farms.

Another reason for the ban is that Russia has not received any safety guarantees from the EU until now.

The ban could be called remarkable since neither the Schmallenberg virus nor bluetongue is associated with pig production.

The watchdog added it has invited representatives of the European Commission to discuss the livestock and cattle feeding safety.

In February, Russia sent 634 pigs back to EU suppliers due to absence of safety certificates.