August 23, 2010

EU gets boost for animal and meat exports to Russia

Exports of animals and animal products from the EU to Russia are expected to receive a boost after five new certificates for exports between the EU and the Russian Federation entered into force on August 15.

These certificates regarding beef with bones, canned and dry petfood and breeding sheep and goats have opened up new trade opportunities for European producers. The export certificates were agreed at a meeting between the European Commission and the Russian veterinary service in Moscow on April 27-28.

Exports of animals and products of animal origin from the EU to Russia have to comply with requirements agreed between the European Commission and the Russian veterinary service for a number of commodities. These requirements apply to exports from all EU Member States, which must agree with specific certificates guaranteeing that the exported commodities comply with the veterinary and sanitary standards of the Russian Federation.

The first veterinary export certificates between the Commission and the Russian services were agreed in 2004. A total of 18 new model certificates were agreed in 2006.

Since 2004, this negotiating process has continued in order to update existing certificates and take into account the evolution of animal health and sanitary conditions. Another goal of these negotiations is to conclude new veterinary certificates for other commodities.

In 2009 the value of exports of animals, meat and animal products from the EU to the Russian Federation was EUR1.3 billion (US$1.65 billion).