The issues of fish and seafood exports in view of the current restrictive measures, the prospects for expanding the geography and for diversifying supplies were discussed at an open meeting attended by participants in the IV Global Fishing Forum & Seafood Expo Russia, as well as representatives of the Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (Rosselkhoznadzor).

Artyom Daushev, Assistant to the Head of the Service, focused on the procedure for exporting products, including fish and seafood, to foreign markets using the Mercury automated information system. He said the system could do much to optimize the efforts of fishermen and traders to organize deliveries to foreign markets, provided the algorithms and recommendations are followed.

Evgenia Lazutkina, Head of the Department for Support of Exports of Livestock Products, spoke about the current situation surrounding fish exports to China. She looked in detail at the reasons for the restrictions on fish imports, which do not always depend on Russian suppliers, while also elaborating on the actions taken by Rosselkhoznadzor to have the relevant barriers lifted and the possible prospects for fish and seafood supplies to this country in the near future.

Olga Denisyuk, Deputy Director of the National Centre for Safety of Aquatic Fisheries and Aquaculture Products, which is subordinate to Rosselkhoznadzor, outlined the most frequent problems faced by domestic fish processors exporting fish products when implementing and operating the HACCP system. She specifically highlighted the principles of product traceability developed by the Service and offered advice on how the system could be used most effectively.

The practice-orientated and open nature of the meeting provided participants with an opportunity to ask questions and receive advice on the most topical aspects of fisheries exports.

The event was moderated by Yulia Melano, Adviser to Rosselkhoznadzor Head Sergey Dankvert and Editor-in-Chief of the Veterinary Medicine and Life newspaper.

Source: Press Office of the Global Fishery Forum & Seafood Expo Russia 2021.