Events

MINSK, 12 September (BelTA) – Belarus is ready to help Ukraine settle the problem of veterinary and sanitary prohibitions against the export of Ukrainian meat and dairy products to the Customs Union, BelTA learned from Alexei Bogdanov, Head of the Central Office for Foreign Economic Activities of the Belarusian Agriculture and Food Ministry.

Representatives of the Ministry held negotiations with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to Belarus Mikhail Yezhel. The diplomat informed the Belarusian side about the work Ukraine had carried out to certify its enterprises for compliance with requirements of the Customs Union, to fight African swine fever, address drawbacks in manufacturing processes at milk-processing enterprises.

The Ukrainian side asked to take these measures into account and permit the delivery of meat and dairy products to Belarus. The Agriculture and Food Ministry explained that the decision to remove veterinary and sanitary prohibitions against agricultural products can be made together by Belarus, Russia, and Kazakhstan. The legislation of the Customs Union disallows unilateral decisions of a member state.

Alexei Bogdanov said that the Belarusian side will do its best to bring about a favorable resolution of the problem of the access to the Customs Union for Ukrainian commodities. The prohibition may be removed if the Ukrainian side notifies Customs Union agencies about the rectification of the previously detected drawbacks and the relevant commission makes sure it is so.

The restrictions have nothing to do with Russia’s sanctions against some imports, including some Ukrainian commodities. “Our country has not followed Russia’s sanctions. Our market is open for Ukraine just the way it was before,” stressed Alexei Bogdanov.

At present the import of Ukrainian pork is forbidden due to the detection of African swine fever in the country. The same reasons prohibit the import of forage of animal origin. At the same time forage of vegetable origin, poultry meat, and beef can be exported by certified enterprises.

In turn, during the talks representatives of the Agriculture and Food Ministry drew attention to the possibility of expanding the list of Belarusian enterprises that can export dairy and meat products to Ukraine. At present there are ten certified enterprises.