At the meeting of the WTO committee for technical barriers to trade, Ukraine again raised the issue of restrictions imposed by Russia on imports of confectionery products, dairy products, beer, juices, salt and wallpaper, and requested the explanations from Moscow on the matter.
According to a report posted on the website of the Economic Development and Trade Ministry of Ukraine, a representative of Kyiv pointed out that their numerous attempts to get clarification from the Russian authorities both at the intergovernmental level and at the company level were unsuccessful.
“The measures introduced by Russia were implemented without appropriate justification and evidence, references to the results of tests and trials, which would transparently demonstrate Ukrainian products don’t comply with the technical regulations of the Russian Federation,” the Ukrainian side said.
The representative stressed that Ukrainian producers have sent to Rospotrebnadzor all the necessary results of tests carried out by accredited laboratories in Russia and Ukraine, but Moscow did not respond to requests from Kyiv.
“Ukraine’s request aims to obtain transparent and complete understanding of measures introduced by Russia,” the ministry said.
In turn, the representative of Russia noted the slow progress in the resolution of the issues raised by Ukraine, and insisted that Russia is acting in accordance with the WTO rules.
In addition, the Russian side accused the Ukrainian side of the failure to provide the requested information. The Russian representative pointed out that in some cases, if the Ukrainian manufacturers offer the whole package of documents, restrictions are removed.
According to him, there is no prohibition as such on Ukrainian products or their import to Russia. There is simply a temporary suspension of imports for three reasons: these products’ non-compliance with technical regulations, the prevention of practices of deceit in trade and the need to protect safety and health of the population.
As reported, in summer and autumn of 2014 Russia introduced restrictions on the supplies and transit of foods from Ukraine, including vegetables, milk and milk products, juices, canned fruits and vegetables, canned fish and confectionary. Also, they restricted imports of meat products from a number of Ukrainian enterprises.Ukraine appealed to the WTO against these restrictions.
