PHL Embassy Sends Off Russian Fisheries Inspection Team

Left Photo: Ambassador Carlos D. Sorreta (left) talks about Philippine fisheries exports with Mr. Konstantin Savenkov, Deputy Head of Rosselkhoznadzor(right).  Right Photo: Ambassador Sorreta with Ms. Olga Nikolaicheva, Head of the Russian Team that will travel to the Philippines to inspect fishery processing plants and government laboratories. (Photo credits: K. Alpay)

25 January 2018 MOSCOW — Philippine Ambassador to Russia Carlos D. Sorreta sent off on 19 January the Russian Team that will travel to the Philippines to inspect tuna processing plants and government facilities that monitor the tuna industry. The Inspection Team will be in the Philippines on 21-27 January 2018.

Ambassador Sorreta sent off the Inspection Team after his meeting with Mr. Konstantin Savenkov, Deputy Head of Rosselkhoznadzor and other officials of the agency.  Rosselkhoznadzor (Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance) is the Russian federal agency that establishes and lifts phytosanitary quarantine zones, controls the use of pesticides and agrochemicals, and maintains soil fertility, among others. Its approval is necessary before agricultural products can be exported to Russia.

“Both the Philippines and Russian have been working for quite some time on laying the groundwork for agricultural exports. We are glad that inspections are pushing through. I am confident that our fisheries facilities will be seen as world class, having already passed the inspections of other countries,” Ambassador Sorreta said.

There is a large market for fisheries products in Russia and “I am confident that the high quality of our tuna products will be well received in Russia,” the Ambassador added.

During their meeting, Ambassador Sorreta and Mr. Savenkov also discussed the inspection of Russian meat and poultry by Philippine officials, the implementation of agreements and the training of Philippine agricultural experts and technicians in Russia.

Ambassador Sorreta emphasized that while these inspections are important, there are several other steps, including other inspections, data exchanges and meetings of experts before exports of agricultural products can commence in earnest. END

For more information, visit www.moscowpe.dfa.gov.ph.