Russian Prime Minister Putin earlier this month signed an official decree that consolidates and changes the system of accreditation for veterinary inspection service and food safety. A new government agency, the Federal Accreditation Service, on November 1, will assume responsibilities from the Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance Service (VPSS/Rosselkhoznadzor) and the Service for the Protection of Consumer Rights and Human Well Being (RosPotrebnadzor).

VPSS is responsible for meat and poultry inspection while RosPotrebnadzor is responsible for food safety and also provides accreditation and certification of laboratories, registration of accreditation certification, and issues declarations of conformity, among its other services.   Putin’s intent is to apparently establish stricter control and minimize corruption in accreditation processes.  The new agency will be subordinated to the Ministry of Economic Development.   This information was provided by AgriFood Strategies in Moscow via the USA Poultry & Egg Export Council.