MINSK, 17 April (BelTA) – The Agriculture and Food Ministry of Belarus is in constant contact with the Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance of Russia (Rosselkhoznadzor) and the Ministry of Agriculture of Russia as the two countries are negotiating supplies of agricultural products to Russia, Belarusian Agriculture and Food Minister Anatoly Khotko told reporters during the 5th export forum Dairy Belarus on 17 April, BelTA has learned.
“Talks are ongoing, they are intense but normal. We have agreed to meet with the Russian minister in the nearest future and to hold a joint board meeting where we will keep discussing areas of concern. We communicate with Rosselkhoznadzor and the Russian Ministry of Agriculture almost every day,” the minister said.
Anatoly Khotko and Russia's Agriculture Minister Dmitry Patrushev met in Moscow on 15 April. The ministers discussed ways to expand Belarus-Russia cooperation in the agricultural sector.
Apart from that, a video conference with Rosselkhoznadzor took place on 16 April. The parties discussed, among other things, a possibility of Russia's inspection of Belarusian producers of apples and pears on the ground. “We expect to receive their answer today,” the minister noted. Earlier, Rosselkhoznadzor announced a ban on the import of apples and pears from Belarus.
