November 13, 2006

EU bans food export from Bulgaria and Romania
 

As of 2007, new EU members Bulgaria and Romania would not be allowed to export to EU countries products of animal origin that have been produced before Jan 1, 2007 as they do not meet the European veterinary and sanitary standards, the European Commission said.

The two countries' products can be sold in local markets but not later than the end of 2007 after which the unsold quantities would be taken off the shelves.

Additional restrictions would be imposed only to Romania, where 400 meat, fish and dairy firms in Romania would be banned from exporting their production by the end of 2009 if they do not comply with EU standards.

More than half of the Romanian milk processing factories would not be allowed to export products to the EU until the middle of 2008. The dairy products would be sold in the local market with special signs on the packages indicating their status. 

The commission also agreed to grant to Bulgaria and Romania EUR 11.5 M to control animal diseases.