On 16 November Minister of Agriculture of the Russian Federation Alexander Tkachev held a meeting with Member of the European Commission
for Health and Food Safety Vytenis Andriukaitis that touched upon issues of promoting Russia-EU agricultural cooperation.
The head of the Russian Ministry of Agriculture and the European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety discussed application of electronic veterinary certificates in trade in animal products as well as investigation into cases of smuggling and fraudulent supplies of animal products
from the EU to Russia.
“The Russian side is interested in further implementation of the electronic veterinary certification project, making use of opportunities offered
by the TRACES electronic system of the EU. We are currently working to ensure bilateral exchange of certificates data between TRACES and Russia’s “Mercury” electronic system”, Mr. Tkachev said.
Furthermore, Mr. Tkachev and Mr. Andriukaitis discussed joint events in the field of antimicrobial resistance, as well as the decision of the World Trade Organisation on the dispute regarding imports from the EU of live pigs, pork and pork products.
Concluding the meeting, the parties expressed their mutual interest in cooperation in combating a number of cross-border animal diseases, such as the African swine fever and Avian influenza, and outlined a number of practical steps towards easing existing barriers and resuming mutually beneficial trade in agricultural goods.
