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New opportunities increased for transport and meat-producing companies in the EU-27 member states involved in export of animal products to Russia as numerous certificates enter into force in mid-August. 

Exports of animals and animal products from the European Union member states to Russia are expected to receive a boost after the new legislation (including five new certificates) for exports between the EU and Russia entered into force on 15 August 2010. These certificates involve regulations on beef with bones, canned and dry pet food, as well as breeding sheep and goats. The certificates open up new trade opportunities for all European producers, informed the Commission in the press-release (Brussels, 18 August 2010).  

In 2009 the value of exports of animals, meat and animal products from the EU to the Russian Federation was € 1.3 billion.

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.

Historic steps

The first veterinary export certificates between the Commission and the Russian services were agreed in 2004. In 2006 18 new model certificates were agreed. The position of the Commission in these negotiations was agreed with the Member State authorities in the Council of the EU.

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.

The export certificates were agreed between the European Commission and the Russian veterinary service in Moscow on April 27-28. They were signed by the two sides in early June and entered into force on 15 August 2010.

Seven certificates, opening trade opportunities for bovine semen, horse meat and cattle for breeding, were agreed in January and in April agreement was reached for five of them that have now entered into force. Negotiations are expected to continue in order to update existing certificates and possibly conclude new ones.

Commission’s web-service

The agro food issues in the EU are in the competence of John Dalli, Commissioner for Health and Consumer Policy. Particularly, food safety problems are dealt with in the DG Health and Consumers.

See: http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/health_consumer/index_en.htm

EU-Russia agro food issues are covered in Food Safety DG; on the DG’s website one can find documents and information about the memorandums on trade of animals and animals products, plants and plant products between the EU and the Russian Federation (RF).

There are as well documents on the RF sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) requirements (legal texts or guidelines) with the necessary Commission’s updates. However, the non-official documents are provided on the website only for information purpose. The Commission does not take any responsibility in the accuracy or completeness of these documents.

For example, there are numerous memorandums of understanding (MoU) between the EU and RF regarding veterinary certification of animals and animal products (MoU, 02.09.2004), or conditions for deliveries of meat and raw meat products (model bilateral MoU, 26.03.2008).

Thus, MoUs are divided into the following sectors:

• animals and animal products,
• plant and plant products,
• food of plant origin,
• fishery products and seafood,
• milk and diary products
• Customs Union legislation between the EU and RF, etc.  

There is also a link to the relevant part of the RF’s Rosselkhozndnadzor (Russian agro-quality Agency) website.

For more information:  

http://ec.europa.eu/food/international/trade/eu-russia_spsissues_en.htm