The meat produced in Moldova is inoffensive and of a high quality. Moldova is not affected by hog cholera or African swine fever like Russia and other countries of the region. Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry Vasile Bumacov said Russia decided to ban the import of Moldovan meat for political reasons and continues to import meat from the countries where the mentioned diseases are found in animals. The official considers that internal meat consumption must be promoted in Moldova so as to reduce imports of meat that are sometimes of a very poor quality, IPN reports.

In an interview for Radio Free Europe, Vasile Bumacov said he didn’t receive an official confirmation from the Russian authorities as to the halt in the import of Moldovan meat. “I want to reiterate that this thing has nothing to do with agriculture and our companies. This is a political matter,” he stated.

Asked if the meat producers could ask for compensations too, the minister said the situation of apple growers was different. “93% of the Moldovan apples were exported to Russia and we had to take measures in this case. As to the meat, Russia is not the main export market for it,” stated Vasile Bumacov, adding that only about 2,000 tonnes of meat were exported to the Russian Federation.

The minister believes that the internal consumption of meat must be encouraged. “Let’s use this meat inside the country and we will not have big problems. There are other markets where we can sell our meat. Surely, we must look for solutions. Such a development was anticipated and it didn’t come as a blow,” said Vasile Bumacov.

Russia’s Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance decided to ban the import of meat from Moldova starting with October 27.