Belarus’ scientist: Rosselkhoznadzor uses radiology as political leverage

MINSK, 28 July (BelTA) – The statement of the Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance of Russia (Rosselkhoznadzor) regarding possible penetration of radioactive isotopes into animal products via a food chain raised eyebrows among Belarusian specialists. The move to discredit Belarusian products followed Belarus’ intentions to reclaim the land that had not been used after the Chernobyl disaster, BelTA learnt from Viktor Dashkevich, head of the information service of the Belarusian Office of Russia- Belarus Information Center on Chernobyl Aftermath.

“Belarus strictly controls the quality of products exported to the Russian markets and is well aware of the regulatory requirements of the Russian Federation. But the problem is that the Russian food safety watchdog uses radiology as a means of political pressure,” Viktor Dashkevich underlined.

Rosselkhoznadzor has recently posted the following information on its official website, “According to the information we possess, agricultural producers of the Republic of Belarus start utilizing the land that had not been used because of the radioactive contamination following the Chernobyl accident. The expansion of the raw material base for cattle breeding can result in the penetration of radioactive isotopes into the finished animal products via a food chain.”

“We do not mind Russian officials taking care of the health of their citizens. But specialists are bewildered by the rationale of the move. What did they mean by saying “according to the information we possess”? The work to reclaim “the land that had not been used because of the radioactive contamination following the Chernobyl accident” had been going on in Belarus for over 18 years already. Some 24 years passed since the accident, the contamination density of the affected areas has almost halved,” the scientist said.

Viktor Dashkevich underlined that the work to reclaim the land is in strict compliance with the legislation. It means that numerous tests have been made to assess the level of radioactive contamination of the land.

“Taking into consideration that the second Union State joint action plan to mitigate the Chernobyl aftermath for 2001-2005 was designed to unify the normative and legal frameworks of the Chernobyl-related laws, Belarus is ready to share its expertise in clean production and land reclamation with Russian partners,” Viktor Dashkevich said.