April 12, 2007

Russia refuses to lift ban on meat imports from Poland

Russia's food safety agency Rosselkhoznadzor has said it would not be lifting a ban on meat imports from the republic, signaling a worsening spat between Russia and Poland days after Poland agreed not to veto a partnership agreement between Russia and the EU.

The agency said it reached the decision after having studied the materials of the joint Russian-Polish inspection and additionally requested EU documentation on the condition of state veterinary control in Poland.

Although Poland's chief veterinary inspectorate has taken measures to eliminate a number of problems the inspection revealed, Rosselkhoznadzor said it has not received answers to a series of questions which arose during the inspection.

Rosselkhoznadzor has proposed that the EU and Russia carry out a joint inspection of a number of Poland's meat processing plants.