Russia eases Finnish meat processing ban

Evira, the Finnish Food Safety Authority, also announced that one new facility in the Scandinavian country had been licensed for meat export by Russia's Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance, Rosselkhoznadzor.

The three plants where restrictions have been lifted are Liha-Saarioinen Oy Valkeakoski, which produces meat products, as well as the pork plants at HK Ruokatalo Oy Mellilä and Oy Snellman Ab Pietarsaari. The new exporter will be Saarioisten Lihanjalostus Oy Jyväskylä.

Russian authorities are alsoexamining the additional reports they have received and may re-inspect the other banned plants - Atria Suomi Oy’s two plants in Nurmo and HK Ruokatalo Oy Forssa). Two of the plants have suspended exports to Russia until further notice, confirmed Evira.

In May, Russia banned meat and dairy exports from 14 Finnish meat and dairy plants. The restrictions came into force on 23 July. Rosselkhoznadzor lifted the dairy bans on 6 August.