Russia and Chile seeking solutions for seafood safety issues

The Russian veterinary and phytosanitary service Rosselkhoznadzor has introduced a ban on seafood shipments from a number of Chilean plants due to discovered cases of forged certificates for seafood products imported to Russia.

According to Rosselkhoznadzor, the Russian side has informed director of Chilean trade representation Mr. Fernando Belloni on practice of international cooperation of Rosselkhoznadzor with countries exporting seafood and fish products to Russia.

The Chilean side has been given copies of forged veterinary certificates and the materials on violations discovered when shipping seafood to Russia. Falsification of Chilean veterinary certificates has caused great concern of Rosselkhoznadzor and the Chilean trade representation, according to the statement of the Russian authority.

The sides have agreed about the urgent need of introduction of new veterinary certificates with multi-stage protection. On behalf of the Chilean government Mr. Fernando Belloni has invited specialists from Rosselkhoznadzor to visit Chile and learn how the Chilean food safety and quality service has been monitoring products aimed for export to Russia. Besides, the Russian vets could see the way Chilean salmon farmers and seafood processors and transport companies work.