Russia plans to ban chilled beef, pork and poultry imports from Germany beginning 4 February over food safety concerns, according to Russia's animal and plant health watchdog Rosselkhoznadzor.
Rosselkhoznadzor spokesman Alexei Alexeyenko said that the guarantee for the safety of imported products from Germany is given by federal veterinary services of the country, which has a weak association with regional veterinary departments.
As a result, Rosselkhoznadzor has to conduct additional studies, which is affecting the state budget, Alexeyenko added.
Currently, Germany exports pork, beef and poultry to Russia at discounted tariffs under quotas.
Meanwhile, Russia is also planning to temporarily ban chilled beef and pork products from the US and Canada beginning 4 February over the fears that they may contain ractopamine.
Ractopamine, a drug used in animal feed to promote leanness in cattle and hogs, is banned in 160 countries, including Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, China and the European Union.
