Russian cow meat exports to Turkey get clearance

MOSCOW

Moscow and Ankara have agreed on the specifics of allowing Russian cow meat exports to Turkey, a Russian official said on June 5. 

Necessary documents have been signed and certificates obtained, a representative of the Russian Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (Rosselkhoznadzor) told the state-run news agency RIA Novosti.

“All the conditions for the cow meat supplies from our side are adjusted, from their side too, because we have signed relevant documents and agreed veterinary certificates, so technically this is what is necessary for the start of supplies,” the representative said, as quoted by Turkey’s state-run Anadolu Agency.

Actual exports will begin upon demand from the market, the representative added.

The move comes after Moscow lifted a number of limitations on Turkish agricultural products, which were imposed amid a diplomatic crisis between the two countries after Turkey’s downing of a Russian jet in November 2015.

Food, Agriculture and Livestock Minister Ahmet Eşref Fakıbaba had in March said Turkey does not exclude the possibility of granting permission for the import of meat from Russia, but the volume of potential supply would be small.