Russia setting date for enforcing importation from only approved Vietnamese plants

The Russian veterinary and phytosanitary service Rosselkhoznadzor has informed the Vietnamese respective authorities that Russia will import Vietnamese seafood only from approved plants as of 25 April 2007.

The Russians say that the decision has rooted from sanitary violations at a number of Vietnamese plants checked by the Russian vets during the recent inspection tour.

More specifically, the Russian veterinary inspectors have disclosed violations of the Sanitary Rules and Norms (SanPiN 2.3.4.050-96) of the Russian Federation such as:

• discharge of sewage waters to the rivers;
• insufficient or absent quality checks of water in the so called lagoons used for fish farming purposes;
• absence of educated veterinaries at fish farms.

Rosselkhoznadzor says that the resumption of seafood import from Vietnam to Russia from the plants failing to get approval during the last round of inspections can be considered after elimination of the violations and a new check of the facilities by Russian veterinaries in Vietnam.

The development confirms the determination of Rosselkhoznadzor (the body operating under the Ministry of Agriculture) to implement the proclaimed policy of establishing traceability and food safety in importation procedures. Apart from traceable supply sources, the Russians are also enforcing traceability of end consignees in the papers provided by the companies exporting to Russia.