TALLINN (ETA) – The turnover of companies that import meat to Estonia has fallen by a quarter due to the restrictions set by the Estonian veterinary and food inspectorate, the Aripiev daily reported.
Estonia's inspectorate has compiled a secret list of foreign meat companies that are acknowledged and accepted by Estonia. This has virtually banned U.S. and French minced chicken meat from Estonia. Alven, one of the largest meat importers of Estonia, has seen a 20 percent drop in turnover as a result of these restrictions.
One year ago it was possible to trade with 2,400 U.S. meat companies but now only with 42 companies, said Igor Igumekov, commercial director of Alven.
Many foreign partners are no longer interested in the Estonian market which requires additional documents even for meat that has passed European check-ups, he said.
Importers are also harmed by the time-consuming check-up of U.S. and Canadian meat products in the customs.
Danexport Eesti, one of the companies, said that it was not protesting against lists but rather against the slow updating of the lists which has banned several established western meat companies.
Ago Portel, director general of the inspectorate, said that the banned meat products are usually cheap and of low quality. The lists are updated according to information received from abroad, he said.
