LJAJIC: There is no ban on pork exports to Russia

Rasim Ljajic (Photo: Mc.rs)

Serbian Trade Minister Rasim Ljajic said Friday (27 June 2014) that the ban on the export of pork from Serbia to Russia was not in place at the moment, adding that the next 10 shipments dispatched by the Koteks company would be under special supervision.

A report made June 23 by the Russian Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance reads that Koteks' shipment of frozen pork contained Listeria bacteria.

Ljajic told the press in Belgrade that special supervision meant that all meat shipments dispatched by Koteks would undergo bacteriological testing.

- This is a message for all our exporters and manufacturers that they have to comply with all standards, not only bacteriological, hygienic and sanitary ones, but also all others as well, so the export of meat to the Russian market could run smoothly - said the minister.

He added that Serbia had a great chance to generate a substantial revenue from exports to Russia because of the growing interest of domestic manufacturers in the production and export of meat to that market.