Russian authorities requested new technical information.
Rosselkhoznadzor – the Russian Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance – has put the Chilean salmon farmer Nova Austral ( owned by the equity funds Altor Fund III and Bain Capital) on “enhanced control”. Also in its sights is Australis’ smokehouse Congelados y Conservas Fitz Roy. Both had this notice dated from the 10th of June. Authorities claimed to have found traces of crystal violet in the Chilean fish.
Russia has form for this and last year its authorities imposed the same controls on both aformentioned salmon farmers, though they were lifted in March.
“Enhanced control” means enhanced laboratory monitoring. Exportation is possible but this means that each consignment of exported goods is being sampled for laboratory testing
In a press release in Mundo Acuicola, Sernapesca writes that its Director Alicia Gallardo, met on Wednesday with representatives of Rosselkhoznadzor, led by its deputy director, Konstantin Savenkov, in order to advance agreements that allow the lifting of measures.
To date, Russia has put temporary restrictions that still apply to processing facilities from Blumar, Cermaq Chile, Yadran, Los Fiordos and Camanchachas.
At the meeting held on Wednesday by videoconference, Russian authorities requested new technical information to deliver safety guarantees in line with the standards requested by this destination market, which will be sent soon by Sernapesca.
Gallardo indicated that her Russian counterpart was open to lifting the restrictions soon.
