Belarus expects restrictions on milk supplies to Russia to be lifted fully in November

Belarus expects the restrictions on milk supplies to the Russian market to be removed fully in November, the country’s Agriculture and Food Minister Leonid Zayats said on Friday.

"We are expecting a positive decision on the issue of suspension of (milk supplies to Russia - TASS) from our enterprises from the side of the Russian Federation," he said, adding that Minsk hopes the issue would be "solved quickly in November."

Zayats added that Russia’s restrictions cover fully or partially the supplies of 43 Belarusian milk producers now.

The Russian agricultural watchdog (Rosselkhoznadzor) has repeatedly imposed and lifted restrictions on supplies of certain types of Belarusian milk and dairy products to Russia due to violations of veterinary and sanitary requirements. The relations in the sector worsened once against in early 2018. Moscow imposed restrictions on supplies of certain types of dairy products. In the middle of March, it was reported that the two countries signed a roadmap on lifting the restrictions on supplies of Belarusian animal products to Russia in 2018. Restrictions on several Belarusian producers were removed.