The Dutch Dairy Association (NZO) has attacked Russian officials for publicly criticising Dutch dairy food standards, without making formal complaints.
Spokesperson René van Buitenen told just-food the NZO “expected [the Russians] to inform Dutch authorities soon if they really have serious concerns”, instead of commenting to media. “Officially we do not know anything about their concerns,” he said.
Van Buitenen was responding to Sergei Dankvert, chief of the Russian food safety watchdog Rosselkhoznadzor, who alleged there were weaknesses in quality checks on Netherlands dairy exports earlier this week.
He highlighted Dutch Dairy Board notices about how “the Dutch government supervises the safety and quality of products and production.” Inspectors include the Netherlands Controlling Authority for Milk and Milk Products, the Inspection Service for Public Health and Veterinary Aspects, and other agencies, he noted.
In 2012, the Netherlands exported EUR155m (US$210.2m) worth of dairy products to Russia, van Buitenen added.
