Russia bans tinned fish from Poland

Food watchdog Rosselkhoznadzor, which says most firms turned down the proposal without giving reasons for their decision, has stressed that the ban is in line with the Eurasian Economic Union’s regulations.

The Polish Agriculture Ministry claims the embargo would not affect Polish businesses due to a low rate of processed fish exports to the Russian market, reaching a value of some 48,000 EUR a year. The figure accounts for a small share of Poland’s overall exports of processed fish worth EUR 188 mln last year. The ministry officials believe the step is a political decision taken by Moscow.

“Polish manufacturers are of the opinion that Russia’s standards and conditions for running the inspections do not indicate an intention to reopen the country’s market,” the Agricultury Ministry wrote in its official statement. “The communique issued by Rosselkhoznadzor on Tuesday may be deemed part of a political game.”

Russia’s move is an extension of an already existing ban imposed by Moscow on most Polish fish products in mid-2014.

According to Warsaw, Polish companies have since made up for the losses incurred on the Russian market, and are now selling 90 percent of its produce to fellow EU member states. (aba/rk)

Source: IAR