Business news

MINSK, 15 November (BelTA) – A system is in place to control the quality of Belarusian food at every step, BelTA learned from Belarusian Agriculture and Food Minister Leonid Zayats on 15 November.

The official said: “Have we ever heard of Belarusian food becoming dangerous in Belarus? Never. It doesn’t happen because we have a quality management system in place to control every stage from an incoming inspection of raw materials to processing, storage, and shipment. Accredited labs with modern equipment are part of the process. People, who sign off on it, are personally responsible for the safety of the product.”

Commenting on the previous day’s news about Russia’s intention to ban Belarusian pork due to hazardous substances, Leonid Zayats noted that this case warrants an investigation. “I am not ready to talk out of hand. It is necessary to investigate things. But you should bear in mind that all these samples are taken in Russia unilaterally. And then they are examined by Russian labs in a unilateral manner, too. It is very difficult to prove advantages of one’s own product if the samples are taken and examined in the territory where the products are bought. Things would be clear and fairer if the samples were examined by independent labs,” he stated.

The official noted that there are many ways to prevent a product from being sold on the market. “For instance, Europe has protected its producers by raising customs duties. How can we reach that market now? Who is ready to pay double for our cheese? I would not like Belarus and Russia to build their trade and economic relations that way because according to the standing agreements, the free flow of merchandise and workforce must be enabled in the Eurasian Economic Union,” concluded Leonid Zayats.

Cooperation with the Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance of Russia (Rosselkhoznadzor) and the Russian food certification information system Mercury was mentioned. “As far as interaction with the Mercury system is concerned, we cooperate tightly with the Russian side. We have set up a working group to train specialists. I am convinced that we will work in harmony with Rosselkhoznadzor and will transparently and objectively present the information the agency needs,” stated the official.