Export of Dairy Products from Armenia to Russia May Be Restricted as Rosselkhoznadzor to Investigate

Rosselkhoznadzor will investigate the issue of imposing restrictions on the import of dairy products from Armenia to Russia due to poor control and violations of the restrictive measures by the Armenian side.

It is also noted that, according to information received from Armenia, dairy processing enterprises in the country are using raw materials produced in Iran, which have been subject to restrictive measures by Rosselkhoznadzor.

“Rosselkhoznadzor has suggested that the Armenian food safety inspection body discuss by March 31 the possibility of further supplies of dairy products from other producers in Armenia to Russia. As a result of the consultations, the issue of applying restrictions on dairy product supplies from all Armenian dairy processing enterprises will be studied,” the statement reads.

The agency reported that inspections conducted by Rosselkhoznadzor specialists from March 20 to 24, 2023, confirmed that Armenian producers were using raw materials from Iranian enterprises (which are not authorized to supply to Russia).

“The identified violations also indicate a lack of proper control by the state veterinary service over dairy processing activities, which creates a risk of importing low-quality and hazardous products to Russia,” Rosselkhoznadzor states.

The agency has appealed to the Armenian veterinary service, requesting to suspend the permission for supplying dairy products to Russia from two enterprises that underwent inspections, and has also informed the Armenian food safety inspection body about the inadmissibility of violating the veterinary legislation of the EAEU.

Additionally, the agency expressed concerns regarding the inclusion of enterprises from third countries in the customs union registries without prior agreement with the Russian side or official refusal from the competent authorities of the EAEU member states.