LJAJIC: Meat exports to Russia to be resolved

Rasim Ljajic (Photo: Mc.rs)

- Government will undertake everything within our competence to obtain the truth, which is the best argument in this situation. All parties involved into process of analysis, ranging from the Customs, Ministry of Agriculture to inspections, will estimate if Free Trade Agreement was violated – said Ljajic in his interview to the Tanjug.

If certain omission is found, as Ljajic pointed out, Serbia needs to inform Russian party and determine sanctions which will be applied on those who violated the rules.

- We have to be sincere towards Russia, no matter what it is about. If an offence occurred and Free Trade Agreement was violated, we need to say and punish that. The Agreement could not be endangered and the whole country should not suffer from a few unconscious exporters – Minister of Trade categorically said.

Ljajic reminded Serbia had a problem on exports of apples to Russia last year, but it was fast settled.

Position of Serbian meat exporters could be permanently endangered in Russia if the authorities do not improve meat control, warned agricultural economists. However, the exports would not be disturbed unless the situation aggravates. This is not the first time Serbia has problems with exports of agricultural-food products.

Serbia has limited meat exports to Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan. Russian inspection has checked our veterinary system, meat producers and processors and found out that meat from EU, prohibited due to swine fever, was exported from Serbia to Russia.

Russian veterinary inspection prevented 22 tons of pork meat from coming into country at the end of May. Packets consisted of skin pieces without veterinary seal of acceptance, instead of bacon, and that is why meat imports from Serbia are partly restricted, announced the Board for Agriculture at the National Assembly last of Serbia Thursday (12 June 2014).