Russia lifts ban on beef import from Moldova

The Russian agriculture watchdog has lifted the ban on the import of beef from Moldova. The agreement on the resumption of beef import from Moldova to Russia was signed on Friday, January 26 after the meeting of the Moldovan minister of Agriculture and Food Industry Anatolie Gorodenco with the head of “Rosselihoznadzor” Service, Serghei Dakvert. The exports were resumed after the Russia veterinary experts completed inspections of 8 Moldovan meatpacking plants. Only three companies were selected to export beef to Russia: “Tehnosel-Car” (Hancesti raion), “Mistor-Bras” (Calarasi), “Nevelina” (Chisinau). Russia banned the import of meat and meat products from Moldova in April 2005. This was one of the first economic sanctions imposed to Moldova. The embargo of fruits, vegetables and wines followed. Compared with the wine bans, the restrictions on the import of meat din not seriously affect the economy, in light of the fact that the volume of exports was insignificant and because Moldova produces about 70% of the meat it consumes, the rest being imported. The exports of meat from Moldova to Russia exceeded USD 8 mln, lower than 1% of the total exports. The reason of the interdiction was according to the Russian authorities the fact that Moldova exports a higher volume of meat than it produces and it proves that Moldova uses re-export of meat and “this action does not exclude the possibility of spreading dangerous diseases”.