Increased controls on food and feed imports in Romania

According to a press release published on the website of the Romanian Customs Authority, it is expected that starting with 2024 controls on food imports, especially those of Ukrainian origin, will increase.

Government Ordinance nr. 126/2023 introduced on the licensing list for import into Romania the following products: wheat or meslin flour and cane or beet sugar of Ukrainian origin.

In this regard, the Romanian Customs Authority (AVR) and the National Sanitary Veterinary Authority (ANSVSA) will cooperate to ensure that, in the absence of licensing requests, poor quality products or infestations that could influence consumers' health will not enter the Romanian market. More specifically:

• AVR will provide information for ANSVSA inspectors on food imports, especially on products for which Romania requires licensing for imports;
• AVR will provide ANSVSA with data on the transit of food products through Romania, as well as information on entries that could come from Ukraine;
• ANSVSA will ensure that products do not enter the market that do not have the necessary licenses, that are of poor quality or infestations that could harm the health of the consumer.

Also, economic operators importing feed in Romania will be more rigorously controlled. According to a draft Order published on ANSVSA's website, importers of such products will have the following obligations:

• be approved/registered as a feed operator;
• notify the arrival of the consignment of feeding stuffs;
• keep records of imported feed and its subsequent distribution in order to ensure traceability;
• analyze certain types of feed before placing each consignment on the market.

Imported feed subject to control includes:

• any cereals intended for animal feed falling within Chapter 10 of the combined nomenclature;
• soybean oil and its fractions, whether or not refined, but not chemically modified;
• bran, sharps and other residues, whether or not agglomerated in the form of pellets, derived from the milling, pressing, sieving or other working of cereals or vegetables;
• mineral substances not elsewhere specified or included.

What does this mean for you?

If you import food products, we recommend that you look at the registration/authorization procedures and conditions (e.g. TRACES). We also recommend that you analyze the procedures and conditions of registration/ authorization in case of import of feed and take the necessary measures to ensure compliance with the legal provisions at the time of their entry into force.

The EY team is available for further details on the above and can assist you in reviewing the veterinary obligations in Romania applicable to your food/feed imports, assist you in obtaining different types of authorizations (e.g. TRACES NT, veterinary authorization/registration document) and the veterinary green wave, through the TRACES NT system.