Sidorski On ‘Milk War’: I Will Be Sorting Things Out In Moscow Tomorrow

The official said that the Rosselkhoznadzor stopped the entire dairy industry in Belarus.

Another restriction on the import of the Belarusian dairy products to Russia is the "opinion of one or two people who conduct their own policy in the Rosselkhoznadzor". This was stated by a member of the collegium (minister) for industry and agro-industrial complex Siarhei Sidorski to tut.by.

"We signed all documents and a road map to resolve this problem. But today, due to the change of government in Russia, most of the commitments are not being fulfilled, although Belarus does its part sacredly. And we expect that in the near future the new leadership (of the industry branch - Ed.) will also abide these agreements, " - Sidorski said.

He is convinced that the decision taken by the Russian side is "this is the opinion of one or two people who conduct their own policy in the Rosselkhoznadzor."

Sidorski added that he learned about the decision taken by the Rosselkhoznadzor only last night, but he could not get an answer who exactly took it.

"No one has a right to stop whole industries and sub-sectors. Tomorrow I will be sorting things out in Moscow", - the minister summed up.

As reported, Russia announced the introduction of temporary restrictions on the supply of Belarusian dairy products since June 6. This refers to dairy raw materials, including in consumer packages of more than 2.5 liters. The key export positions of Belarus here were milk powder, cream and whey.

The decision was made "due to the need to take measures in connection with the continued receipt of unsafe dairy products from the Republic of Belarus by the Russian Federation".

"The ban will concern processors who work on Belarusian raw materials, or those who simply pack milk and other products," - RNS quotes official representative of the Rosselkhoznadzor Yulia Melano.

The relations on the dairy front escalated in early 2018. Moscow announced its intention to restrict the import of certain types of dairy products since February 26. However, at first this period was postponed, and then they gave up the idea to introduce restrictions at all.

In mid-March, it was announced that Russia and Belarus had signed a roadmap on the procedure for lifting restrictions on the supply of Belarusian livestock products to Russia in 2018.