"Allowing seed potatoes is well-understood self-interest"

Yesterday, Russia decided to remove certain products from the boycott list, including seed potatoes. According to Frédéric Rosseneu of Europatat, allowing these products was 'well-understood self-interest'. "It was definitely not out of compassion for Europe. I think they drafted the list a bit too hastily, without realizing they really needed certain products."

For some people, it's a sensitive matter. Should we supply products that give Russia more self-sufficiency? Isn't Europe shooting itself in the foot? Frédéric's opinion is that things should be looked at separately. "The ban for seed potatoes was in place for a while. Russia also already had the desire to increase its own production. It doesn't change the situation that much, and it's still about millions of Euro. Russia also asks for specific varieties. You can't just sell them somewhere else."

Stiff negotiations
Communication with Russian institutions is still difficult, which doesn't necessarily make exporting seed potatoes any easier. "We had already been negotiating for over a year, and as Europeans we were very accommodating to Russia. In the end, not a whole lot has changed, we still have to take the phytosanitary hurdle, including difficult talks." Form November until April, seed potatoes will be supplied to Russia. That means the season will start in about three months. The coming period, Europatat will talk to Russian parties about how to handle next season. "It didn't go very smoothly then, hopefully now things will go better, and more countries are allowed to supply. Russia 'picked' its own suppliers last year, including the Netherlands, Germany, France, Finland and Poland. Other parties were also interested, but Russia 'had run out of time' for them."

Despite the tough climate, according to Frédéric, many still think that the lines with Russia should remain open. "I don't expect Russia to remove more products from the list now. For the other products, it's a matter of waiting if and when the sanctions will be lifted."

For more information:
Frédéric Rosseneu
Europatat
Rue de Trèves 49-51, bte 8
1040 Brussels - Belgium
Tel: +32 (0)2 777.15.85
Fax: +32 (0)2 777.15.86
secretariat@europatat.eu
www.europatat.eu