Chink of Light in Russian Meat Import Ban

The prospects for meat exports to Russia resuming, in particular pig meat exports, took a step closer last week with a series of bilateral talks between the Russian veterinary authorities, Rosselkhoznador and several EU states.

While Russia is still critical of the control measures taken by the European Commission over the spread of African swine fever in the Baltic states, the foundations have been laid for reopening of the markets.

Agreements have been made over inspections of processing plants and also on controls and certification of products at the borders with Russia.

And some progress has been made in the acceptance of the controls that are now being used to contain African swine fever.

However, while progress has been made on the sanitary and phytosanitary arrangements for exports to recommence, the embargo put in place because of disagreements over the handling of the Ukraine and Crimea situations remain and at present there is no sign that these sanctions will change.

The closure of the Russian border to EU meat exports, has opened up the market to others.

Brazil, for instance is estimating that its beef exports could reach $8 billion this year with 1.7 million tonnes exported and it is looking to fill the gap in the Russian market left by the sanctions.

However, while Russia is closed to the EU, several European countries have been seeking out new markets.

Finland this week announced that it will start exporting pig meat to China and a delegation from the UK has laid down the ground work to build exports of meat and agricultural products further, including the installation of a special British counsellor in China.