the russian federations bluetongue-related import restriction on ruminants in november 2018 the european union raised its concern regarding the russian federations import restriction in relation to bluetongue. the european union explained that several years ago the russian federation had banned imports of all susceptible live animals and their genetic material from the areas affected by the disease following the notification of outbreaks in limited areas of the european union. in response to the russian federations notification of these measures in 2014 and 2016 the european union had expressed in writing and through bilateral exchanges its view that the measures were not in line with chapter 8.3 of the oie terrestrial code. the european union underscored that the oie recommendations indicated that the export of susceptible animals and their genetic material from areas affected by the disease should be allowed under certain conditions such as vaccination laboratory testing or protection of animals from vectors in vector-protected establishments. these conditions were also reflected in the relevant veterinary export certificates agreed between the european union and the russian federation. however this arrangement was not being respected and despite its repeated requests the russian federation had not provided the scientific justification for its measures. the european union urged the russian federation to bring its measures in line with the international standards and allow the resumption of trade in ruminants and their genetic material without further delay. the russian federation explained that bluetongue was a wide-spread dangerous viral disease of small ruminants and cattle notifiable to the oie which had become established in western europe. five mediterranean countries had declared themselves as endemic. the russian federation underscored its interest in the regular import of breeding cattle and small ruminants and maintaining trade links with its traditional partners in the european union. in this regard appropriate measures had been taken during the bluetongue outbreak in the european union in order not to completely sto the mutually beneficial trade in live animals. these measures had included the signing of the veterinary certificates agreed by the european union and the russian federation recognition and regular update of the bluetongue-free zone as well as close contact between research institutes and veterinary services of the russian federation and the european union which had to date ensured safe supplies of live animals from individual farms. this approach had proven successful as trade had been maintained at a high level and the russian federation had also remained free from bluetongue. the russian federation further noted that from 1 october 2016 to 31 december 2020 import and marketing of breeding cattle breeding pigs shee and goats horses poultry eggs and semen and embryos thereof were exempted from value-added tax in the russian federation. the russian federation indicated that it was taking the necessary steps to update its veterinary legislation in light of the current epidemic risks and economic interests of russian importers. in this regard the draft regulation from the ministry of agriculture on bluetongue spread which was currently being reviewed was destined to eliminate current contradictions between the veterinary certificate and the domestic legislation. the russian federation called for the european unions understanding and for continued constructive work in the prevention of the spread of bluetongue in europe. in march 2019 the european union briefly referred to stc no. 411 which had not been raised at the current meeting to acknowledge the russian federations consideration of eu concerns on import restrictions targeting certain animal products from germany. the european union thanked the russian federation for its cooperation on that matter and announced that it would report formally on the resolution of that stc at th