Russia uncovers paperwork for 5.9 tonnes of milk from farm without dairy cattle

The inspection was conducted by the Rosselkhoznadzor office responsible for the Rostov, Volgograd and Astrakhan regions and the Republic of Kalmykia. To cross-check records, the agency used the Mercury and Khorriot components of the Federal State Veterinary Information System (VetIS). The violations concerned health certificates for dairy animals required for the sale of raw milk.

One case involved a private smallholding in the Azov District. A veterinarian issued a certificate for the holding's premises, which was then used to document the production of 5.9 tonnes of raw milk. According to the accompanying document, the milk came from seven head of cattle. A cross-check against Khorriot revealed that no dairy animals were registered at the holding.

According to the office's assessment, such discrepancies undermine product traceability and distort the information needed to ensure veterinary and sanitary safety. The agency highlighted the risks to consumers posed by raw milk without proper veterinary certification.

Through the VetIS.Passport component, 29 warnings were sent to authorized personnel who had breached the procedures for issuing veterinary documents. Milk collectors and suppliers received a further 39 cautions against violating mandatory requirements.

Case files concerning incidents classified by the agency as serious violations were forwarded to the regional veterinary department and the environmental prosecutor's office for action.