News

On 28 December, representatives of Lithuania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Agriculture, the State Food and Veterinary Service, members of the Association of Meat Processors and the dairy products processors discussed the conditions and problems related to Lithuanian food export to Russia.

Since 28 December, two Lithuanian companies are prohibited to import produced meat and cheese products to Russia. This is not the first time that Russia imposes restrictions on the import of Lithuanian food products. Lithuanian products meet all the requirements of European Union, but there is a systemic problem: different standards are applied in Russia and in the European Union.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania regularly raises this issue during bilateral meetings with representatives of Russia and EU counterparts, and is encouraging the European Commission to seek that Russia recognizes scientifically based international standards. According to Mr Antanas Vinkus, Lithuania’s Ambassador to Russia, a close cooperation between Lithuanian and Russian trade associations is of particular importance for a favourable decisions in this issue. Mr Kazimieras Lukauskas, the Director of State Food and Veterinary Service, stressed that all efforts are put to test products exported to Russian market in accordance with Russia’s requirements.

During the meeting at the State Food and Veterinary Service, the parties decided that the dairy and meat raw materials and manufactured products would continue to be strictly controlled, the cooperation in the harmonization of laboratories work would be strengthen, and the issue of different standards applied in the EU and Russia would be constantly raised during the bilateral and EU meetings.

Russia is the main Lithuania’s foreign trade partner. Lithuania’s export to Russia represents 13 per cent of total export. Lithuanian companies export to Russia 32 per cent of products of animal origin.