World meat industry news

The new legislation (No. 397-FZ) which will come into force March 1, 2023 will require Russia to exercise veterinary control over livestock exports. Russia undertook those obligations after joining the World Trade Organization (WTO). Rosselkhoznadzor will undertake responsibility to conduct inspections of exporters’ production facilities to ensure they comply with the requirements of importing countries.

The new law will introduce amendments to the veterinary medicine law.  These amendments were approved by the President of Russia Vladimir Putin on December 6, 2021.

Under the new legislature, Rosselkhoznadzor will have authority to conduct inspection visits to the exporters’ facilities involved in breeding and maintaining of animals, as well as in production, storage and processing of livestock products intended for export.

“The document will set out that the inspections will be conducted at the request of an exporter and be free of charge”, Rosselkhoznadzor explained.  

Rosselkhoznadzor clarified that follow up inspections of registered exporters that have already been included in FGIS VetIS – Cerberus prior to the new legislation coming into force, are not required.

“Work is currently underway to set by-laws, including the procedure for conducting inspections and processing the conclusions after inspection”, a spokesperson for Rosselkhoznadzor said.

The regulator noted that the majority of importers of the Russian products of animal origin set out requirements for maintaining registers of enterprises certified for exportation.

“As a member of the WTO, Russia must guarantee that Russian suppliers comply with the requirements of the importing countries. The register of certified exporters in IS Cerberus allows to prevent non-compliant shipments to go to the importing countries. This increases the competitiveness and marketability of the Russian products and maintains their reputation for high quality and food safety”, said Rosselkhoznadzor.