EEC asks Russia to revise restrictions on Belarusian milk imports

MOSCOW, Nov 14 (PRIME) -- The Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC), a regulatory body of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), has asked the Russian government to revise its restrictions on imports of Belarusian milk introduced following discovery of intact nitrates in the product, the commission said in a statement late on Tuesday.

“We suggest that the Russian government take measures aimed at fulfilling paragraph 2 of article 53 of the EAEU treaty. In compliance with the paragraph, the countries of the union should ensure turnover of goods, which comply with technical regulations of the union, without additional requirements and procedures of compliance verifications. This is applicable to milk as well,” the commission said.

But Yuliya Melano, a spokesperson for the Russian Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Oversight, told reporters that the commission’s request is not appropriate.

“The service does not believe it possible to ignore possible negative consequences for consumers. Existing legislation stipulates that containment of nitrates in milk is unacceptable, so the service does not violate the treaty in its work,” she said, adding that the request again proves that some representatives of the EEC operate exclusively in interests of Belarus without taking into account interests of the other members of the union.

The EAEU comprises Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia, and Kyrgyzstan.

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