This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Russian fish import ban ends
21/09/2001
The Russian authorities have announced they intend to
overturn the ban on imports of fish and fish products from
Britain.
Fisheries Minister Rhona Brankin said:
"This really is excellent news for the Scottish fishing
industry, especially since the mackerel season is about to
start and Russia has traditionally been one of our main
export markets.
"We have been determined to see this ban overturned, and
we have lobbied the Russian authorities at the highest
level for some months. I am absolutely delighted that our
efforts have been successful and that Scottish exports can
now resume."
BACKGROUND
1. The Russians introduced a ban on fish and fish
products earlier this year as a result of the Foot &
Mouth crisis.
2. The Government's position has always been that fish
or fish products carry no risk of cross-infection. The
Russians relented earlier this year in that they allowed
exports to resume from Shetland because of their remoteness
from the mainland. The announcement on September 11 that
Scotland is Foot and Mouth Disease Free further
strengthened our arguments.