Russian Federation Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (Rosselkhoznadzor) reported on June 8: Rosselkhoznadzor and the General Administration of Customs of China held video negotiations on the organization of video inspections of Russian meat processing enterprises, and representatives of the Russian business delegation to China participated in the negotiations.

Rosselkhoznadzor stated that it has received a notification letter from the General Administration of Customs of China that it must conduct video inspections on five suppliers of Russian meat products (poultry and beef) exported to China in June. Previously, Russian fish processing companies have also accepted such online inspection activities.

An official of the General Administration of Customs of China explained during the negotiation that this type of inspection is not aimed at Russian companies, but also applies to meat producers in other countries. At present, China has carried out online formal inspections in 54 countries to ensure that product suppliers meet the requirements of Chinese regulations and comply with the temporary recommendation request in “COVID-19 and Food Safety” proposed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the World Health Organization to Rosselkhoznadzor last year.

Rosselkhoznadzor has sent a list of questions raised by China to 5 companies that need to undergo video inspections. The contents relate to the preventive measures taken by meat producers to prevent personnel from being infected with COVID-19 and how to prevent products from being infected with the SARS-CoV-2.