Rosselkhoznadzor (RSN) held two meetings last week with the pet industry representatives: manufacturers and importers.
The focus of the meeting with manufacturers was an eventual ingredient shortage for domestic pet food production.
The Rosselkhoznadzor representatives said they are considering the resume of import from certain enterprises on a point-by-point basis, at the request of particular companies. Temporary permits for raw material and ingredient import issued by the regulator earlier would be extended until the end of this year.
Earlier, at a meeting of the RSN Public Council held on March 17, the Rosselkhoznadzor representative also stated that the regulator is ready to propose rules to simplify the clearance of goods.
On March 21, RSN organized a meeting with a large number of industry unions and associations representatives, importers and pet food and ingredients manufacturers. Pet food import was the highlight of the meeting.
The head of the Rosselkhoznadzor Sergey Dankvert reported the latest numbers.
According to the RSN, amino acids supplies from China and other countries has increased. As of March 11, 2022, lysine supplies to Russia doubled compared to the same period last year. Import of choline chloride increased by 52%. According to Sergey Dankvert, the RSN did not restrict import of vitamins, and today’s import volumes depend on each country particular decision and acts only.
Pet food import decreased 20% as of March 11, 2022, compared to the same period of the last year. However, the supply of feed for farm animals increased by 23% over the same period.
A significant drop in pet food supply from Germany was recorded – by 27%. Denmark and Norway are also among the countries from which import volumes reduced. The head of the RSN is puzzled by the fact that there is no increase in pet food supplies from ‘open’ countries such as France, Italy, Hungary and Austria.
In order to avoid pet food shortage in the country RSN extends temporary import permits issued earlier to importing companies until the end of the year. As of March, 29th, 2022, there are 503 brands and items of 114 manufacturers which are allowed to import to Russia*. However, Sergey Dankvert said, the extension does not apply to everyone. Companies whose products do not correspond to the composition stated on the packaging will not receive the extended permission.
* please check the third column where you find the manufacturers name. Should you have any question about the rest, please contact Zooinform on [email protected] for further information and translation
According to the latest data, 25 out of 70 product samples tested from 17 manufacturers do not correspond to the declared composition, and 58 samples do not indicate the species identity of ingredients. The head of RSN was baffled over the fact that a lot of importers hadn’t yet signed contracts with VGNKI to carry out product control. He reproached the business for its unwillingness to monitor the composition of imported products. Nevertheless he stated that there are companies which respond to requirements and actively work to sort out issues.
Kirill Dmitriev, the President of a new National Pet Business Association, highlighted that it’s absolutely critical to open import of all brands manufactured be those plants that had been authorized by the RSN to import a number of trademarks. This would allow importers to increase pet food supply volumes to Russia. Kirill Dmitriev also urged on a simplified authorization procedure for the new plants and countries to maintain pet food and food supplements to Russia on a sufficient level and avoid pet food shortage.
Rosselkhoznadzor declared that it was ready to assist with pet food import from new locations. The talks on the import are underway with China, Brazil and Argentina.
There are certain issues with food import from enterprises which are not included in the Registar, as many of them use GMO components which are restricted in Russia. Sergey Dankvert stated that RSN has already come out with a suggestion to legitimate GMO lines registered for human nutrition for feeding pets. He also noted that the agency is ready to ask the Government of the Russian Federation to allow import of products containing GMO ingredients if there is a guarantee that the manufacturer registers them by within a year.
Thus, the regulator is still focused on the safety of pet food and its compliance with the composition stated on the packaging. RSN will continue sanctions against companies that violate those rules. At the same time Sergey Dankvert assured the audience that to avoid pet food shortage Rosselkhoznadzor is open to solve particular issues of importers, which provide all documents required.
More on the topic:
– Rosselkhoznadzor enacts digital document flow with 16 countries
– RNS: import rules simplified for goods from abroad to Russia
– Detailed composition to be on pet food packaging
