Brussels, 24/08/2010 (Agence Europe) - The five new certificates for exports which came into force on 15 August are expected to give exports of animals and animal products from the European Union to Russia a boost, the European Commission has said. These certificates, which relate to beef with bones, canned and dry pet food and breeding sheep and goats, open up new trade opportunities for European producers in the Russian market.
The European Commission and the Russian veterinary service agreed these export certificates in Moscow on 27-28 April of this year. The details of these certificates were initialled one month later. Seven certificates, opening trade opportunities for bovine semen, horse meat and cattle for breeding, were agreed in January; in April, agreement was reached for five which came into force on 15 August. Negotiations are expected to continue in order to update existing, and possibly conclude new, certificates.
In 2009 the value of exports of animals, meat and animal products from the EU to the Russian Federation was €1.3 billion. (L.C./transl.rt)