Workers at a Russian federal company that oversees the protection of agriculture and veterinary drugs, Rosselkhoznadzor, have disclosed what they describe as unlawful pet meals commerce in Russia.
In response to a report within the Oreanda-Information, Rosselkhoznadzor, after monitoring numerous web sites, found unlawful gross sales of pet meals in Russia following quite a few complaints from pet homeowners. The investigation discovered that Hill’s merchandise, banned attributable to mislabeling about turkey DNA content material, had been being bought, together with Canadian manufacturers Acana and Orijen, which have additionally confronted gross sales restrictions in Russia since June 2021. Belarusian corporations Garfield, Little Paws and Leopold had been discovered to be concerned in distributing these prohibited merchandise.
Rosselkhoznadzor mentioned deliveries of sure pet meals merchandise to Russia lacked crucial veterinary paperwork, making it tough to trace their origin and security. In January 2024, the company imposed restrictions on animal feed imports from Hill’s Italian facility, citing insufficient laboratory management over ingredient composition, inadequate temperature therapy of uncooked supplies, and lack of awareness about uncooked materials origins.
Russia cracks down on counterfeit pet meals market
Starting September 1, Russia started imposing necessary labeling of pet meals and veterinary medicine.
Petfood Trade columnist, Vladislav Vorotnikov reported in June that the Middle for Potential Expertise Growth (CRPT), a Russian state company approved to oversee the labeling reform, mentioned the method of implementing necessary labeling of pet meals and veterinary medicine could be phased. Beginning October 1, all dry pet meals on the cabinets ought to carry labels, making certain full provide chain traceability. This will likely be adopted by the labeling of moist pet meals, which can start March 1, 2025. Promoting pet meals with out the labels will likely be strictly prohibited previous these dates.
Whereas the necessary labeling necessities include a heavy monetary burden to pet meals suppliers, the Russian authorities is emphasizing a traceable provide chain with hopes the nation can enhance pet meals exports within the coming years, famous Vorotnikov.
In Might 2024, the Russian Agricultural Ministry rolled out plans to double pet meals exports by 2030, boosting it to 150,000 tonnes, price $350 million. Authorities are optimistic in regards to the Russian pet meals trade’s export potential, trying towards post-Soviet nations, Mongolia and rising Asian economies as probably the most promising markets for Russian pet meals within the coming years.