Russia bans re-export of plant products from Bulgaria

BOFIT Viikkokatsaus / BOFIT Weekly Review 2015/18

The ban is designed to prevent imports of EU plant products from circumventing Russia’s ban in food imports imposed last August. The Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (Rosselkhoznadzor) imposed the ban on Saturday (Apr. 25), noting that it sought to stop banned products from entering Russia via Bulgaria through deceptive practices. The agency cited as an example Polish apples with re-export documents indicating their origin outside the EU (e.g. Morocco and Brazil).

The ban on transit imports will remain in force for an unspecified period. Rosselkhoznadzor claims the document forging has reached substantial proportions, so it could widen the ban to cover all plant product imports coming via EU countries. To prevent fraudulent labelling, Rosselkhoznadzor is designing a system that would require EU officials to pre-deliver their export documents.

Most plant products imported to Russia from outside the EU are transported through EU countries, where large logistics hubs are located. The more extensive bans could significantly restrict plant product imports to Russia and increase import costs.

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