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Exports to Russia, phytosanitary barriers set up
Russia
Monday 21 January 2008
The European Commission and the Russian Federation are negotiating a protocol about maximum residue limit in fruit and vegetables to be applied to EU exports to this Country.
The protocol as it presently appears means a barrier to trade because it establishes the imposition of a residues’ certificate on all shipments. This certificate will have to attest that maximum limits of residues and nitrates established by the Russian legislation are respected. The certificate can only be issued by official laboratories authorized by the federal veterinary and phytosanitary service of the ministry of Agriculture of the Russian Federation.
In addition to that, the European Commission will “suggest” to the Member States that each shipment should have a special bulletin containing information about plant protection products used during production cycle and packaging together with the date of the last treatment. Russian authorities will conduct a follow-up about the compliance of their legislation by the Member State, without differentiating companies or sectors.
This matter is arising polemics in Europe. In Spain, the exporters’ association FEPEX declared that such protocol as it has been drafted is unacceptable, because it may involve the imposition of bureaucratic procedures that could affect in a very negative way all shipments from Spain to Russia.
In 2006 direct exports of fruit and vegetables from Spain to Russia amounted 121,955 tons with a value that exceeded 72 million euros. It must also be considered that a very important export flux of Spanish fruit and vegetables reach Russia from the Netherlands and Germany.
The protocol as it presently appears means a barrier to trade because it establishes the imposition of a residues’ certificate on all shipments. This certificate will have to attest that maximum limits of residues and nitrates established by the Russian legislation are respected. The certificate can only be issued by official laboratories authorized by the federal veterinary and phytosanitary service of the ministry of Agriculture of the Russian Federation.
In addition to that, the European Commission will “suggest” to the Member States that each shipment should have a special bulletin containing information about plant protection products used during production cycle and packaging together with the date of the last treatment. Russian authorities will conduct a follow-up about the compliance of their legislation by the Member State, without differentiating companies or sectors.
This matter is arising polemics in Europe. In Spain, the exporters’ association FEPEX declared that such protocol as it has been drafted is unacceptable, because it may involve the imposition of bureaucratic procedures that could affect in a very negative way all shipments from Spain to Russia.
In 2006 direct exports of fruit and vegetables from Spain to Russia amounted 121,955 tons with a value that exceeded 72 million euros. It must also be considered that a very important export flux of Spanish fruit and vegetables reach Russia from the Netherlands and Germany.
