May 6, 2009

Russia's ban on pork products from Spain and parts of Canada due to H1N1 flu is unjustified and should be lifted, according to a European Commission trade official Tuesday (May 5).

"The European Commission regrets that the Russian competent authorities have taken unjustified measures which are in contradiction with internationally recognised guidelines," trade affairs spokesman Guellner Lutz said.

"The commission is in contact with the Russian authorities to urge them to reconsider the measure currently applied and will keep the Russian authorities informed of any relevant development," he said.

The European Commission has sent a letter to the Russian government that contests the scientific basis for the ban, commission spokeswoman Nina Papadoulaki said Tuesday.

Russia's food safety agency has extended a ban on all meat products to a fourth US state and banned pork products from Spain and parts of Canada due to fears of H1N1 flu.

The World Health Organisation and three other major organisations have denounced boycotts of pork over fears the meat could be a means of spreading the A(H1N1) virus, saying there was no evidence it was a source of infection.