Russian importers no more need confirm contracts with foreign partners

A new version of the Administrative Regulations which cancels system of obligatory confirmation of contracts with foreign partners for seafood import shipments has come into effect as of 19 December 2011, reports http://www.megafishnet.com/ with reference to Russia's Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (Rosselkhoznadzor).

Approved by Russia's Ministry of Justice the respective order defines the updated Administrative Regulations on rendering state services on issue of permissions for import/export of animals, animal products, medicine for veterinary purposes, feeds and feed additives for animals' diet.

Among other amendments the new Regulations cancel the requirement for the Russian importers to get contracts confirmed for shipments of seafood or any other products based on aquatic species with foreign producers. Instead such control will be carried out by Argus Information System automatically in transparent mode without any extra burden to participants of external trade and national veterinary services of exporting countries.

Moreover, those traders who have been rejected from getting permissions for 2012 due to lacking confirmation of contracts may re-apply for such permissions.

Nowadays Rosselkhoznadzor is trying to reach agreements with several national veterinary services of exporting countries on a through electronic certification of seafood products, which could help raise safety of shipments, make activities of control bodies more friendly and convenient for business communities both in Russia and exporting countries.