December 8, 2006

Russia said Bulgarian meat import problem to be resolved soon

Russia is now taking a more conciliatory tone, saying it believes the problem with meat imports from Bulgaria and Romania is "just technical" and would be resolved soon, according to media reports.

Russia has earlier threatened to impose a new ban on all EU meat and animal products from January, when Romania and Bulgaria join the club. It sees the two countries "unsecured in terms of veterinary safety".

After meeting with his Bulgarian counterpart Ivaylo Kalfin, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told journalists Moscow wants importing the same high quality meat as allowed for consumption within the EU.

Russian President Vladimir Putin blamed Poland for the situation, saying Polish officials were unwilling to supervise other countries' meat products transiting through the country.

EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn dismissed concerns over animal health in both countries.

Due to persistent outbreaks of swine fever in Romania and Bulgaria, the EU has banned exports of live pigs and pork products from both countries until next October.