Food safety: Moldova triggers emergency ban on Ukrainian poultry products
The Republic of Moldova has temporarily suspended all imports of poultry meat and derivative products from Ukraine. Radu Musteata, Director of the National Food Safety Agency (ANSA), signed the emergency order on Monday, January 26.
The ban takes immediate effect following its publication in the Official Gazette. This decision follows laboratory investigations that detected metronidazole, a prohibited substance, in several batches of animal feed previously imported from Ukraine.
Safety measures and institutional response
While Ukrainian law officially prohibits the use of metronidazole, ANSA investigations revealed the substance remains readily available on the Ukrainian market. Moldovan officials noted that veterinary drugs containing the antibiotic are still featured in the product catalogs of several Ukrainian manufacturers.
"The suspension will be reassessed based on guarantees provided by the competent sanitary-veterinary authorities in Ukraine," stated the official document signed by the ANSA Director.
Protecting consumer health
Moldovan authorities emphasized that the ban is rooted in the "precautionary principle." The primary goal is to protect domestic consumers and ensure that only safe, non-hazardous food products enter the national market.
The Agency confirmed it had requested specific safety assurances from Kyiv regarding the monitoring of veterinary drug distribution. This story is developing as international trade discussions continue.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
