Russia and China move on COVID-linked fish export complications

Russia’s vet watchdog Rosselkhoznadzor and the General Customs Administration (GCA) of the People's Republic of China have held a video conference on the export of Russian animal products to China in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Russia’s "National Center for the Safety of Aquatic Fisheries and Aquaculture Products" in charge of export approvals also took part, reports Megafishnet.com.

During the talks on 30th December 2020, the main issue had to do with lifting export restrictions from a number of Russian vessels that have tested positive for COVID-19. The parties also raised the question if it would make sense to introduce restrictions on the supply of Russian fish products entering China in transit via the EU countries.

Besides, the Russians informed their Chinese counterparts on the establishments and vessels' repeated approval progress as well as on the updating of the current list of fish suppliers to China. The Russians also said they had sent GCA the list of fish processing enterprises and vessels to be excluded from the approved ones.

The parties have agreed that the re-certification of Russian fish suppliers shall be continued in the current mode to further update the approved list.

Meanwhile, clean establishments and vessels with COVID-free record and complying with the coronavirus preventive measures will continue shipments without change.

It was agreed that full re-certification results would be submitted to the Chinese authorities.