Russia: vodka production up in May 2016

The production of vodka in Russia has increased year on year by 30% in April and 29% in May. The increase has been informally linked to raids carried out by the Federal Security Service (FSB) and Federal Tax Service in February. The groups raided a number of illegal vodka factories in the Northern Caucasus, closing…

Russia: decision to ban imports of vegetative products from Macedonia to be reconsidered

Russian Federal Service for Veterinary and Phyto-Sanitary Control has reconsidered its decision to ban imports of vegetative products from Macedonia, the watchdog’s deputy head Alexey Alekseyenko said after negotiations with the republic’s representatives in Moscow. “Previously, we were concerned over attempts by criminal groups to use fake certificates of Macedonia’s Quarantine and Plant Protection Service”,…