Eurasian Economic Union Ag Times No. 4 of 2017 Moscow Russian Federation 8 22 2017
THIS REPORT CONTAINS ASSESSMENTS OF COMMODITY AND TRADE ISSUES MADE BY
USDA STAFF AND NOT NECESSARILY STATEMENTS OF OFFICIAL U.S. GOVERNMENT
POLICY
Voluntary
- Public
Date: 8/22/2017
GAIN Report Number: RS1746
Russian Federation
Post: Moscow
Eurasian Economic Union Ag Times No. 4 of 2017
Report Categories:
Sanitary/Phytosanitary/Food Safety
FAIRS Subject Report
Trade Policy Monitoring
SP2 - Prevent or Resolve Barriers to Trade that Hinder
U.S. Food and Agricultural Exports
Approved By:
Rachel Vanderberg
Prepared By:
Staff
Report Highlights:
This report contains summaries of relevant decisions and documents from the Armenia-BelarusKazakhstan-Kyrgyzstan-Russia Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) meetings, published between April
29 and August 8, 2017 that impact EAEU food and agriculture policy. Key documents included herein
are a number of decisions on import tariff changes for numerous agricultural products implementing the
next round of Russia’s WTO tariff reductions, finalized veterinary requirements and a certificate for dog
semen, and a revised draft amendment of cadmium MRLs for sunflower seeds. As noted herein, Russia
notified several of the SPS measures covered in this report to the World Trade Organization (WTO).
General Information:
This report contains summaries of relevant decisions and documents from the Armenia-BelarusKazakhstan-Kyrgyzstan-Russia Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) meetings, published between April
29 and August 8, 2017 that impact EAEU food and agriculture policy. Key documents included herein
are a number of decisions on import tariff changes for numerous agricultural products implementing the
next round of Russia’s WTO tariff reductions, finalized veterinary requirements and a certificate for dog
semen, and a revised draft amendment of cadmium MRLs for sunflower seeds.
The documents below are hyperlinked via automated translation services for readers seeking further
details. Select “refresh” on your browser if the page does not translate to the end.
As noted herein, Russia notified several of the SPS measures covered in this report to the World Trade
Organization (WTO).
SPS MEASURE PUBLISHED FOR PUBLIC COMMENT
Publication Date: June 26, 2017
Recommended Rules of Food Sampling: Draft Recommendation on the use of Common Rules
of Sampling (Taking Specimens) for Examination (Testing) of Food Products when Applying
and Fulfilling the Requirements of Technical Regulations of the Eurasian Economic Union –
original in Russian. For English, please see GAIN report RS1742 Draft EAEU Recommended
Rules of Food Sampling.
Summary: On June 26, 2017, the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) published the draft
Recommendation for comments. In particular, the draft contains rules of food sampling and
requirements for storage and transportation of samples. The Common Rules may be used in case
a relevant standard for sampling is missing in the list of standards established for a particular TR.
The EEC’s comment period for the draft closed on July 16, 2017. As of the date of publication
of this report, FAS/Moscow does not believe this measure has been notified to the World Trade
Organization.
INTERNATIONAL MEMORANDA
Publication Date: July 3, 2017
Memorandum of Understanding between the Eurasian Economic Commission and the Hellenic Republic
- original in English
Summary: The Memorandum was signed in Moscow on June 24, 2017. According to the
Memorandum, it does not create any rights or obligations for the Parties governed by
international law. The Memorandum is a declaration by the Parties of their intent “to join efforts
with a view promoting mutually beneficial cooperation.” The areas of cooperation under the
Memorandum, inter alia, include “exchange of know-how on technical regulation, sanitary,
veterinary-sanitary and phytosanitary measures,” as well as public procurement, trade policy, and
agro-industrial complex. The Memorandum was written in Russian, Greek, and English, with
the English text to prevail in case of any discrepancy.
MEETING OF THE EURASIAN ECONOMIC COMMISSION COUNCIL
May 17, 2017
Publication Date: May 23, 2017
EEC Council Decision No. 23 On Amending the Unified List of Goods Subject to Veterinary Control
(Surveillance) - original in Russian
Summary: The decision expands the respective EAEU list to include leguminous vegetables
used for animal feed, citron melons, and some feed additives. As a draft, Russia notified the
WTO of this document in October 2015 via G/SPS/N/RUS/110. For unofficial English
translation of the initial draft, please see GAIN report RS1583 Draft EAEU SPS Measure on
Feed and Feed Additives Notified to WTO.
Publication Date: June 26, 2017
EEC Council Order No. 20 On Draft Agreement on the Mechanism of Traceability of Goods within
the Framework of the Eurasian Economic Union - original in Russian
Summary: The draft agreement will cover only imported products that are released for
domestic consumption or sold in the EAEU, or moved from the territory of one EAEU Member
State to the territory of another EAEU Member State. According to the draft, the EEC should
determine a list of products to be traced, and EEC decisions approving the list or amendments to
the list should come into force at least 90 days after their official publication. The EAEU
Member States shall launch a pilot project on the implementation of traceability under the
agreement as of February 1, 2018, the EEC should publish a decision approving a list of products
for the pilot project no later than October 1, 2017. Based on the results of the pilot project, the
EAEU Member States shall implement the traceability project under the draft agreement during
2018 pending an EEC decision that should come into force at least 90 days after its official
publication.
Publication Date: July 14, 2017
EEC Council Order No. 21 On the Interaction of the Eurasian Economic Union Member States in
case of Application by One of the Member States of Unilateral Special Economic Measures - original in
Russian
Summary: The order states that in case of introduction of unilateral special economic measures
by one of the EAEU Member States against third countries, the Member State should inform the
other members and the EEC, as a rule, no later than 15 calendar days in advance of such
measures. The document also notes that introduction of a traceability system will ensure
mitigation of damage for the Member State economies in such cases.
MEETING OF THE EURASIAN ECONOMIC COMMISSION COUNCIL
June 23, 2017
Publication Date: July 24, 2017
EEC Council Decision No. 41 On Establishment of Rates of Import Customs Duties of the Unified
Customs Tariff of the Eurasian Economic Union for Certain Types of Goods in Accordance with the
Commitments of the Russian Federation in the Framework of the WTO - original in Russian
Summary: The decision will change the EAEU import tariff in connection with Russia’s WTO
tariff commitments. According to this decision, the following agricultural items will be affected
by the tariff changes as of September 1, 2017: some live, chilled, or frozen fish (from EAEU HS
groups 0301 – 0303), dried birds’ eggs (0408 91 800 0), live plants (from 0602), apples (from
0808), rice (from 1006), starches (from 1108), vegetable oils and other fats (from 1512, 1514,
and 1517), fruit purees (from 2007), yeast (from 2102), and flax (from 5301).
EEC Council Decision No. 42 On Establishment of Rates of Import Customs Duties of the Unified
Customs Tariff of the Eurasian Economic Union for Certain Types of Goods in Accordance with the
Commitments of the Russian Federation in the Framework of the WTO - original in Russian
Summary: The decision extends the operation of a temporary combined EAEU tariff rate for
two items of concentrated apple juice (from HS 2009) of 10 percent but not less than 0.05 Euro
per liter until the end of 2017. While the Unified EAEU tariff was amended in 2016 for both
items to replace the combined tariff rate with a flat rate of 10 percent, which is Russia’s final
bound rate, simultaneously a note was added at the bottom of the EAEU tariff in effect extending
the operation of the combined tariff until August 31, 2017. At the same time, according to
Russia’s WTO commitments, the final bound rate of 10 percent should have been implemented
in 2015.
MEETING OF THE EURASIAN ECONOMIC COMMISSION COLLEGIUM
May 11, 2017
Publication Date: May 12, 2017
EEC Collegium Decision No. 44 On Establishment of Rates of Import Customs Duties of the Unified
Customs Tariff of the Eurasian Economic Union for Certain Types of Goods in Accordance with the
Commitments of the Russian Federation in the Framework of the WTO and Amending Some Decision of
the Eurasian Economic Commission - original in Russian
Summary: The decision will change the EAEU import tariff in connection with Russia’s WTO
tariff commitments. According to the decision, the following agricultural items will be affected
by tariff changes as of September 1, 2017: some fish liver, eggs and roes, edible fish byproducts, crustaceans, mollusks and other aquatic invertebrates (from 0305-0308, 0511), a
couple of cheese items including Cheddar cheese (from 0406), Brussels sprouts and dried
leguminous vegetables (from 0704 and 0713), pistachios, dates, oranges, and dried grapes (from
0802, 0804-0806), spices (from 0909), olive oil (1510 00 100 0), crustaceans, mollusks and other
aquatic invertebrates, prepared or preserved (from 1605), sugar and cocoa products (from 1702,
1803, and 1804), preserved vegetables, fruits, nuts, and mushrooms (from 2001 and 2002), soy
sauce, mustard, and chewing gum (from 2103 and 2106), water, beer, and vermouth (from 22012203 and 2205).
MEETING OF THE EURASIAN ECONOMIC COMMISSION COLLEGIUM
May 30, 2017
Publication Date: May 31, 2017
EEC Collegium Decision No. 60 On Amending Unified Veterinary (Veterinary and Sanitary)
Requirements for Goods Subject to Veterinary Control (Surveillance) - original in Russian
Summary: The decision introduces a new Chapter 45 with the veterinary and sanitary
requirements for dog semen imported into the Eurasian Economic Union. As a draft, Russia
notified the WTO of this draft document via G/SPS/N/RUS/127 and Kazakhstan - via
G/TBT/N/KAZ/3 in July 2016. For English translation of the original draft please see GAIN
report RS1637 Draft SPS Measure on Dog Semen Notified to WTO .
EEC Collegium Decision No. 61 On Amending Decision of the Customs Union Commission No. 607 of
April 7, 2011 - original in Russian
Summary: The decision introduces a new form No. 46 of a unified EAEU veterinary certificate
for dog semen imported into the Eurasian Economic Union. As a draft, Russia notified the WTO
of this draft document via G/SPS/N/RUS/126 and Kazakhstan - via G/TBT/N/KAZ/4 in July
2016. For English translation of the original draft please see GAIN report RS1637 Draft SPS
Measure on Dog Semen Notified to WTO .
MEETING OF THE EURASIAN ECONOMIC COMMISSION COLLEGIUM
June 8, 2017
Publication Date: June 13, 2017
EEC Collegium Decision No. 65 On Establishing Rates of Import Customs Duties of the Common
Customs Tariff of the Eurasian Economic Union in Respect of Some Types of Agricultural Products original in Russian
Summary: The decision will raise the EAEU import tariff for Brussels sprouts (EAEU HS 0704
20 000 0), pistachios (0802 51 000 0 and 0802 52 000 0), dates (0804 10 000 0), and dried
grapes (0806 20 100 0 and 0806 20 900 0) from the current temporarily reduced rates of 5% for
Brussels sprouts and zero per cent for the other items to 13% and 5%, respectively, as of
February 1, 2018. The increased tariff rates are Russia’s final bound rates for the corresponding
items in accordance with Russia’s WTO tariff commitments.
MEETING OF THE EURASIAN ECONOMIC COMMISSION COLLEGIUM
June 20, 2017
Publication Date: June 22, 2017
EEC Collegium Order No. 61 On Draft Order of the Council of the Eurasian Economic Commission
“On Draft Agreement on Measures Aimed at Unification of Selection and Breeding Work with
Agricultural Animals in the Framework of the Eurasian Economic Union” - original in Russian
Summary: The document gives interim approval to the stated draft Agreement. When finally
adopted, the Agreement will establish unified requirements for breeding products and methods of
assessment of the animals’ breeding value, as well as ensure exchange of information on
breeding animals and selection achievements, and coordination of selection and breeding work in
the EAEU. According to the EEC Minister for industry and agriculture Sergey Sidorsky, the
Agreement should help increase the output of competitive breeding products, increase livestock
production, and decrease dependence from imported breeding products.
MEETING OF THE EURASIAN ECONOMIC COMMISSION COLLEGIUM
June 30, 2017
Publication Date: July 3, 2017
EEC Collegium Order No. 69 On Draft Decision of the Council of the Eurasian Economic
Commission “On Amending Annex 2 to the Technical Regulation of the Customs Union “On Safety of
Grain” (TR TS 015/2011)” - original in Russian
Summary: The document gives interim approval to the stated amendment, which would
supplement the TR on Grain with two separate, less restrictive than the current 0.1 mg/kg, MRLs
for cadmium for sunflower seeds. In particular, the MRL for sunflower seeds that are used for
direct consumption as food will be 0.2 mg/kg, while for sunflower seeds to be used for further
industrial processing into sunflower oil by Belarusian or Russian producers from sunflower seeds
grown in Russia the MRL will be 0.35 mg/kg. As a draft, Russia notified the amendment to the
WTO in May 2013 via G/TBT/N/RUS/23, however, only one new MRL (0.2 mg/kg) was
proposed at the time. For translation of the original draft please see GAIN report RS1329 Draft
Amendments to CU Technical Regulation on Safety of Grain.
Publication Date: July 4, 2017
EEC Collegium Decision No. 80 On Certificates of State Registration of Products - original in Russian
Summary: The decision approves a new version of the unified form of state registration
originally approved by the CU Commission Decision No. 299 of May 28, 2010. The certificate
of state registration is a document that confirms compliance of products with the requirements of
the EAEU technical regulations or the Unified Sanitary-Epidemiological and Hygienic
Requirements for Products Subject to Sanitary-Epidemiological Surveillance (Control). The
decision also establishes a procedure for issuing certificates of state registration. In particular,
producer, seller (or importer) or a person authorized by the producer can file applications for
certificates of state registration. The decision also sets the procedure of forming and maintaining
a unified register of such certificates. The data in the register will be publicly available. The
decision comes into force as of June 1, 2019. Certificates issued prior to that date will be valid
until their expiration.
Publication Date: July 6, 2017
EEC Collegium Order No. 71 On Draft Recommendation of the Council of the Eurasian Economic
Commission “On the Expediency of Implementation and Use of Best Practices of the Organization for
Economic Cooperation and Development” - original in Russian
Summary: The document gives interim approval to the stated recommendation for the EAEU
Member States to consider implementation of the OECD standards taking into account the socioeconomic development and legal regulation in the EAEU Member States. In terms of
agriculture, the potential use of the OECD tools in the sphere of seeds certification and the need
to study the OECD Schemes for the Varietal Certification is mentioned.
MEETING OF THE EURASIAN ECONOMIC COMMISSION COLLEGIUM
August 4, 2017
Publication Date: August 8, 2017
EEC Collegium Order No. 88 Draft Decision of the Council of the Eurasian Economic Commission
“On Draft Decision of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council “On the Status of Observer in the
Eurasian Economic Union” - original in Russian
Summary: The document gives interim approval to the stated decision, which would approve
the attached regulation on the status of observer in the Eurasian Economic Union. Moldova has
recently applied for the observer status in the EAEU and hopes to obtain it during the EAEU
heads of state summit in October 2017.
USDA STAFF AND NOT NECESSARILY STATEMENTS OF OFFICIAL U.S. GOVERNMENT
POLICY
Voluntary
- Public
Date: 8/22/2017
GAIN Report Number: RS1746
Russian Federation
Post: Moscow
Eurasian Economic Union Ag Times No. 4 of 2017
Report Categories:
Sanitary/Phytosanitary/Food Safety
FAIRS Subject Report
Trade Policy Monitoring
SP2 - Prevent or Resolve Barriers to Trade that Hinder
U.S. Food and Agricultural Exports
Approved By:
Rachel Vanderberg
Prepared By:
Staff
Report Highlights:
This report contains summaries of relevant decisions and documents from the Armenia-BelarusKazakhstan-Kyrgyzstan-Russia Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) meetings, published between April
29 and August 8, 2017 that impact EAEU food and agriculture policy. Key documents included herein
are a number of decisions on import tariff changes for numerous agricultural products implementing the
next round of Russia’s WTO tariff reductions, finalized veterinary requirements and a certificate for dog
semen, and a revised draft amendment of cadmium MRLs for sunflower seeds. As noted herein, Russia
notified several of the SPS measures covered in this report to the World Trade Organization (WTO).
General Information:
This report contains summaries of relevant decisions and documents from the Armenia-BelarusKazakhstan-Kyrgyzstan-Russia Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) meetings, published between April
29 and August 8, 2017 that impact EAEU food and agriculture policy. Key documents included herein
are a number of decisions on import tariff changes for numerous agricultural products implementing the
next round of Russia’s WTO tariff reductions, finalized veterinary requirements and a certificate for dog
semen, and a revised draft amendment of cadmium MRLs for sunflower seeds.
The documents below are hyperlinked via automated translation services for readers seeking further
details. Select “refresh” on your browser if the page does not translate to the end.
As noted herein, Russia notified several of the SPS measures covered in this report to the World Trade
Organization (WTO).
SPS MEASURE PUBLISHED FOR PUBLIC COMMENT
Publication Date: June 26, 2017
Recommended Rules of Food Sampling: Draft Recommendation on the use of Common Rules
of Sampling (Taking Specimens) for Examination (Testing) of Food Products when Applying
and Fulfilling the Requirements of Technical Regulations of the Eurasian Economic Union –
original in Russian. For English, please see GAIN report RS1742 Draft EAEU Recommended
Rules of Food Sampling.
Summary: On June 26, 2017, the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) published the draft
Recommendation for comments. In particular, the draft contains rules of food sampling and
requirements for storage and transportation of samples. The Common Rules may be used in case
a relevant standard for sampling is missing in the list of standards established for a particular TR.
The EEC’s comment period for the draft closed on July 16, 2017. As of the date of publication
of this report, FAS/Moscow does not believe this measure has been notified to the World Trade
Organization.
INTERNATIONAL MEMORANDA
Publication Date: July 3, 2017
Memorandum of Understanding between the Eurasian Economic Commission and the Hellenic Republic
- original in English
Summary: The Memorandum was signed in Moscow on June 24, 2017. According to the
Memorandum, it does not create any rights or obligations for the Parties governed by
international law. The Memorandum is a declaration by the Parties of their intent “to join efforts
with a view promoting mutually beneficial cooperation.” The areas of cooperation under the
Memorandum, inter alia, include “exchange of know-how on technical regulation, sanitary,
veterinary-sanitary and phytosanitary measures,” as well as public procurement, trade policy, and
agro-industrial complex. The Memorandum was written in Russian, Greek, and English, with
the English text to prevail in case of any discrepancy.
MEETING OF THE EURASIAN ECONOMIC COMMISSION COUNCIL
May 17, 2017
Publication Date: May 23, 2017
EEC Council Decision No. 23 On Amending the Unified List of Goods Subject to Veterinary Control
(Surveillance) - original in Russian
Summary: The decision expands the respective EAEU list to include leguminous vegetables
used for animal feed, citron melons, and some feed additives. As a draft, Russia notified the
WTO of this document in October 2015 via G/SPS/N/RUS/110. For unofficial English
translation of the initial draft, please see GAIN report RS1583 Draft EAEU SPS Measure on
Feed and Feed Additives Notified to WTO.
Publication Date: June 26, 2017
EEC Council Order No. 20 On Draft Agreement on the Mechanism of Traceability of Goods within
the Framework of the Eurasian Economic Union - original in Russian
Summary: The draft agreement will cover only imported products that are released for
domestic consumption or sold in the EAEU, or moved from the territory of one EAEU Member
State to the territory of another EAEU Member State. According to the draft, the EEC should
determine a list of products to be traced, and EEC decisions approving the list or amendments to
the list should come into force at least 90 days after their official publication. The EAEU
Member States shall launch a pilot project on the implementation of traceability under the
agreement as of February 1, 2018, the EEC should publish a decision approving a list of products
for the pilot project no later than October 1, 2017. Based on the results of the pilot project, the
EAEU Member States shall implement the traceability project under the draft agreement during
2018 pending an EEC decision that should come into force at least 90 days after its official
publication.
Publication Date: July 14, 2017
EEC Council Order No. 21 On the Interaction of the Eurasian Economic Union Member States in
case of Application by One of the Member States of Unilateral Special Economic Measures - original in
Russian
Summary: The order states that in case of introduction of unilateral special economic measures
by one of the EAEU Member States against third countries, the Member State should inform the
other members and the EEC, as a rule, no later than 15 calendar days in advance of such
measures. The document also notes that introduction of a traceability system will ensure
mitigation of damage for the Member State economies in such cases.
MEETING OF THE EURASIAN ECONOMIC COMMISSION COUNCIL
June 23, 2017
Publication Date: July 24, 2017
EEC Council Decision No. 41 On Establishment of Rates of Import Customs Duties of the Unified
Customs Tariff of the Eurasian Economic Union for Certain Types of Goods in Accordance with the
Commitments of the Russian Federation in the Framework of the WTO - original in Russian
Summary: The decision will change the EAEU import tariff in connection with Russia’s WTO
tariff commitments. According to this decision, the following agricultural items will be affected
by the tariff changes as of September 1, 2017: some live, chilled, or frozen fish (from EAEU HS
groups 0301 – 0303), dried birds’ eggs (0408 91 800 0), live plants (from 0602), apples (from
0808), rice (from 1006), starches (from 1108), vegetable oils and other fats (from 1512, 1514,
and 1517), fruit purees (from 2007), yeast (from 2102), and flax (from 5301).
EEC Council Decision No. 42 On Establishment of Rates of Import Customs Duties of the Unified
Customs Tariff of the Eurasian Economic Union for Certain Types of Goods in Accordance with the
Commitments of the Russian Federation in the Framework of the WTO - original in Russian
Summary: The decision extends the operation of a temporary combined EAEU tariff rate for
two items of concentrated apple juice (from HS 2009) of 10 percent but not less than 0.05 Euro
per liter until the end of 2017. While the Unified EAEU tariff was amended in 2016 for both
items to replace the combined tariff rate with a flat rate of 10 percent, which is Russia’s final
bound rate, simultaneously a note was added at the bottom of the EAEU tariff in effect extending
the operation of the combined tariff until August 31, 2017. At the same time, according to
Russia’s WTO commitments, the final bound rate of 10 percent should have been implemented
in 2015.
MEETING OF THE EURASIAN ECONOMIC COMMISSION COLLEGIUM
May 11, 2017
Publication Date: May 12, 2017
EEC Collegium Decision No. 44 On Establishment of Rates of Import Customs Duties of the Unified
Customs Tariff of the Eurasian Economic Union for Certain Types of Goods in Accordance with the
Commitments of the Russian Federation in the Framework of the WTO and Amending Some Decision of
the Eurasian Economic Commission - original in Russian
Summary: The decision will change the EAEU import tariff in connection with Russia’s WTO
tariff commitments. According to the decision, the following agricultural items will be affected
by tariff changes as of September 1, 2017: some fish liver, eggs and roes, edible fish byproducts, crustaceans, mollusks and other aquatic invertebrates (from 0305-0308, 0511), a
couple of cheese items including Cheddar cheese (from 0406), Brussels sprouts and dried
leguminous vegetables (from 0704 and 0713), pistachios, dates, oranges, and dried grapes (from
0802, 0804-0806), spices (from 0909), olive oil (1510 00 100 0), crustaceans, mollusks and other
aquatic invertebrates, prepared or preserved (from 1605), sugar and cocoa products (from 1702,
1803, and 1804), preserved vegetables, fruits, nuts, and mushrooms (from 2001 and 2002), soy
sauce, mustard, and chewing gum (from 2103 and 2106), water, beer, and vermouth (from 22012203 and 2205).
MEETING OF THE EURASIAN ECONOMIC COMMISSION COLLEGIUM
May 30, 2017
Publication Date: May 31, 2017
EEC Collegium Decision No. 60 On Amending Unified Veterinary (Veterinary and Sanitary)
Requirements for Goods Subject to Veterinary Control (Surveillance) - original in Russian
Summary: The decision introduces a new Chapter 45 with the veterinary and sanitary
requirements for dog semen imported into the Eurasian Economic Union. As a draft, Russia
notified the WTO of this draft document via G/SPS/N/RUS/127 and Kazakhstan - via
G/TBT/N/KAZ/3 in July 2016. For English translation of the original draft please see GAIN
report RS1637 Draft SPS Measure on Dog Semen Notified to WTO .
EEC Collegium Decision No. 61 On Amending Decision of the Customs Union Commission No. 607 of
April 7, 2011 - original in Russian
Summary: The decision introduces a new form No. 46 of a unified EAEU veterinary certificate
for dog semen imported into the Eurasian Economic Union. As a draft, Russia notified the WTO
of this draft document via G/SPS/N/RUS/126 and Kazakhstan - via G/TBT/N/KAZ/4 in July
2016. For English translation of the original draft please see GAIN report RS1637 Draft SPS
Measure on Dog Semen Notified to WTO .
MEETING OF THE EURASIAN ECONOMIC COMMISSION COLLEGIUM
June 8, 2017
Publication Date: June 13, 2017
EEC Collegium Decision No. 65 On Establishing Rates of Import Customs Duties of the Common
Customs Tariff of the Eurasian Economic Union in Respect of Some Types of Agricultural Products original in Russian
Summary: The decision will raise the EAEU import tariff for Brussels sprouts (EAEU HS 0704
20 000 0), pistachios (0802 51 000 0 and 0802 52 000 0), dates (0804 10 000 0), and dried
grapes (0806 20 100 0 and 0806 20 900 0) from the current temporarily reduced rates of 5% for
Brussels sprouts and zero per cent for the other items to 13% and 5%, respectively, as of
February 1, 2018. The increased tariff rates are Russia’s final bound rates for the corresponding
items in accordance with Russia’s WTO tariff commitments.
MEETING OF THE EURASIAN ECONOMIC COMMISSION COLLEGIUM
June 20, 2017
Publication Date: June 22, 2017
EEC Collegium Order No. 61 On Draft Order of the Council of the Eurasian Economic Commission
“On Draft Agreement on Measures Aimed at Unification of Selection and Breeding Work with
Agricultural Animals in the Framework of the Eurasian Economic Union” - original in Russian
Summary: The document gives interim approval to the stated draft Agreement. When finally
adopted, the Agreement will establish unified requirements for breeding products and methods of
assessment of the animals’ breeding value, as well as ensure exchange of information on
breeding animals and selection achievements, and coordination of selection and breeding work in
the EAEU. According to the EEC Minister for industry and agriculture Sergey Sidorsky, the
Agreement should help increase the output of competitive breeding products, increase livestock
production, and decrease dependence from imported breeding products.
MEETING OF THE EURASIAN ECONOMIC COMMISSION COLLEGIUM
June 30, 2017
Publication Date: July 3, 2017
EEC Collegium Order No. 69 On Draft Decision of the Council of the Eurasian Economic
Commission “On Amending Annex 2 to the Technical Regulation of the Customs Union “On Safety of
Grain” (TR TS 015/2011)” - original in Russian
Summary: The document gives interim approval to the stated amendment, which would
supplement the TR on Grain with two separate, less restrictive than the current 0.1 mg/kg, MRLs
for cadmium for sunflower seeds. In particular, the MRL for sunflower seeds that are used for
direct consumption as food will be 0.2 mg/kg, while for sunflower seeds to be used for further
industrial processing into sunflower oil by Belarusian or Russian producers from sunflower seeds
grown in Russia the MRL will be 0.35 mg/kg. As a draft, Russia notified the amendment to the
WTO in May 2013 via G/TBT/N/RUS/23, however, only one new MRL (0.2 mg/kg) was
proposed at the time. For translation of the original draft please see GAIN report RS1329 Draft
Amendments to CU Technical Regulation on Safety of Grain.
Publication Date: July 4, 2017
EEC Collegium Decision No. 80 On Certificates of State Registration of Products - original in Russian
Summary: The decision approves a new version of the unified form of state registration
originally approved by the CU Commission Decision No. 299 of May 28, 2010. The certificate
of state registration is a document that confirms compliance of products with the requirements of
the EAEU technical regulations or the Unified Sanitary-Epidemiological and Hygienic
Requirements for Products Subject to Sanitary-Epidemiological Surveillance (Control). The
decision also establishes a procedure for issuing certificates of state registration. In particular,
producer, seller (or importer) or a person authorized by the producer can file applications for
certificates of state registration. The decision also sets the procedure of forming and maintaining
a unified register of such certificates. The data in the register will be publicly available. The
decision comes into force as of June 1, 2019. Certificates issued prior to that date will be valid
until their expiration.
Publication Date: July 6, 2017
EEC Collegium Order No. 71 On Draft Recommendation of the Council of the Eurasian Economic
Commission “On the Expediency of Implementation and Use of Best Practices of the Organization for
Economic Cooperation and Development” - original in Russian
Summary: The document gives interim approval to the stated recommendation for the EAEU
Member States to consider implementation of the OECD standards taking into account the socioeconomic development and legal regulation in the EAEU Member States. In terms of
agriculture, the potential use of the OECD tools in the sphere of seeds certification and the need
to study the OECD Schemes for the Varietal Certification is mentioned.
MEETING OF THE EURASIAN ECONOMIC COMMISSION COLLEGIUM
August 4, 2017
Publication Date: August 8, 2017
EEC Collegium Order No. 88 Draft Decision of the Council of the Eurasian Economic Commission
“On Draft Decision of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council “On the Status of Observer in the
Eurasian Economic Union” - original in Russian
Summary: The document gives interim approval to the stated decision, which would approve
the attached regulation on the status of observer in the Eurasian Economic Union. Moldova has
recently applied for the observer status in the EAEU and hopes to obtain it during the EAEU
heads of state summit in October 2017.