Russia imposes temporary curbs on EU poultry transit

Russia's Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Supervision (Rosselkhoznadzor) will introduce temporary restrictions on the transit of poultry meat and poultry by-products produced in the European Union through Russian territory, effective August 5, 2026, the agency announced.

The measure follows what the regulator described as the discovery of an illegal shipment of poultry by-products allegedly originating from Germany and transported through Poland using falsified veterinary documentation.

"In a precautionary measure, Rosselkhoznadzor is introducing temporary restrictions, effective August 5, 2026, on the transit through the territory of the Russian Federation of poultry meat and poultry by-products produced by enterprises in the European Union," the agency said in a statement.

According to Rosselkhoznadzor, the shipment entered the Customs Union on a truck bearing Polish license plates and was destined for Uzbekistan. The agency said an analysis of its information systems, together with a response from Germany's veterinary authorities, indicated that the products were of unknown origin.

"Based on the analysis of Rosselkhoznadzor's information systems and a response from the German veterinary authorities, it was established that the products are of unknown origin. A request has also been sent to Uzbekistan to identify the source of the illegal supplies, specifically to determine the sender of the goods," the agency said.

Rosselkhoznadzor said the restrictions are intended to prevent the spread of animal diseases and protect consumers while the investigation continues.

The regulator added that products certified and dispatched before August 5 will still be permitted to transit through Russia until the end of August 6.

"The temporary restrictions will remain in force until negotiations with the European Commission are held based on the findings of the investigation into the identified violations," Rosselkhoznadzor added.

By Vafa Guliyeva