The decision to ban the import of meat and meat products from Moldova into Russia starting with October 27 is unfounded, said Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry Vasile Bumacov, when asked by IPN to comment on related Russian press reports.

The Russian press reported that the Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance of Russia (Rosselhoznadzor) decided to ban the import of meat and meat products from Moldova after a mission of experts inspected the Moldovan meat factories.

“I do not want to comment on something that has nothing to do with agriculture. Their decision is dictated by purely political motives and is groundless,” stated Vasile Bumacov.

The Russian press quoted officials of Rosselhoznadzor as saying that Moldova exports meat whose origin is not known as it is purchased from farmers or at village markets. The meat often does not meet the safety standards and there were cases when the veterinary certificates weren’t authentic.