October 4, 2007

Russia declares it would only allow certified Polish meat products

Russia will allow Polish meat and dairy product imports only from plants certified by Russian health inspectors from Nov. 1, the country's animal and heath watchdog said on Wednesday (October 3).

Reuters reported that the announcement came ahead of a meeting of veterinary experts from Russia and the European Union in Brussels.

Russia has banned imports of Polish raw meat and plant products since November 2005. Poland has used its EU membership to pressure the EU to negotiate with Russia over the bans, using trade and energy talks between the EU and Russia as leverage.

Since no meat and dairy produce plants have been certified by Russian inspectors, the move would equate to an extension of restrictions on produce imports from Poland.

A spokesman from the Russian food safety agency said the Polish authorities were not allowing Russian veterinarians to inspect and certify food processing plants.