MOSCOW - Belarus is halting pork exports to Russia until Nov. 11, Russian agricultural watchdog Rosselkhoznadzor said in a statement.
This agreement was reached at talks between Rosselkhoznadzor chief Sergei Dankvert and Belarusian Agriculture and Food Minister Leonid Zayats on Oct. 30.
This move stems from the discovery of African swine fever in products from four Belarusian meat plants.
According to the statement, the restrictions concern chilled and frozen pork and by-products.
Rosselkhoznadzor told Interfax this did not concern a ban on pork shipments into Russia. “The Belarusian state veterinary services are ending the certificate of pork products for the Russian market in accordance with a self-restriction regime that is in effect between our countries,” the watchdog said.
“Further actions will be agreed upon at a working meeting that will be held on November 11 with the participation of leadership from Kazakhstan’s state veterinary service,” the statement says.
As reported, Bobruisk Meat Processing Plant was the fourth to be “blacklisted” along with the Orsha, Minsk and Mogilyov plants after African swine fever was discovered in their products.
