June 22, 2011

Russia and Belarus restrict live pig imports from Lithuania

Classical Swine Fever in Jonava district, Lithuania, has caused Russia and Belarus to ban the import of pork and pigs from Lithuania.

According to Russia's Trading Ministry, it decided to temporarily restrict imports of live pigs and pork products from Lithuania until the complete elimination of all outbreaks of the virus.

Russia's food safety experts have promised that the export of live pigs to Russia from Lithuania will not be allowed until all outbreaks of Classical Swine Fever are successfully eliminated.

Live pigs supplies to Russia stopped on June 1, when Classical Swine Fever was discovered in the three complexes at a farm in Jonava district. Russia is the main sales area for the Lithuanian pork industry.

Belarus has also banned imports of pork from Lithuania, which temporarily halts the import of live pigs and products, as well as trophies, made of wild boar. Belarus has applied the same sanctions on Russia. The import of pigs, their products, and raw materials have been banned from the Tver region of Russia where African Swine Fever was discovered recently.