Russia to avoid new meat war with EU

Russian analysts said Russia will avoid a repeat of a meat war with the EU in the field of agricultural trade.

Russian and European ties were strained in 2006 when Russia banned imports of Polish meat.

The EU is currently one of Russia's largest meat trade partners, any problems can cause huge losses for Russia.

Furthermore, Russia is now continuing difficult negotiations with the EU on the possibilities of starting its meat exports to the large and lucrative European market.

Russia understands that another trade scandal could dash all hopes of starting a full scale meat trade with the EU, said the analysts.

Russia has already started to sign individual contracts with some European companies for the supply of its meat and meat products to the EU, which mainly occurs within the framework of some international agricultural exhibitions.