July 5, 2010

Russia lifts Ukrainian poultry ban

Russia has lifted almost all the restrictions on poultry imports from Ukraine starting from July 1, according to Rosselkhoznadzor, the country's federal service for veterinary and phyto-sanitary supervision.

"It cancelled the five-year ban for importation of live birds, hatchable eggs, poultry meat and all kinds of poultry products, feeds and supplement feeds for birds, and also used equipment for rearing and slaughtering birds," the group's statement said.

However, only selected Ukrainian companies will be allowed to bring their products to Russia.

Rosselkhoznadzor head, Sergei Dankvert, said: "Only enterprises certified by the Russian service will be able to export both raw materials and finished products to Russia.

"The latest checks conducted in Ukraine show that not all the companies are ready to meet Russia's requirements," he said, adding that the principal reason for this is that Ukraine is harmonising its rules with the European standards, which differ from the Russian ones.

As a result of the inspection, only Elitex Ltd (Donetsk region) has received permission to supply finished products to Russia starting July 1. Another two enterprises - CJSC Sniatynska Nova poultry farm (Ivano-Frankivsk region), and CJSC Myronivka poultry Farm (Cherkasy region) - are allowed to supply raw poultry products.

The restrictions on imports of Ukrainian livestock products, including poultry, were introduced in late 2005 and early 2006.