December 20, 2006

Russia assures EU it would not ban meat imports

Russia backed off from a threat to ban meat imports from the European Union starting Jan 1, averting trade disputes that would have meant the loss of millions of dollars in the EU meat trade.

Russia had threatened to ban meat shipments from the EU when Bulgaria and Romania join the bloc on Jan 1 because of food safety concerns.

Russia and the EU are now working on a memorandum to ensure that banned products from the two countries would not enter Russia through a third nation next year, said Agriculture Minister Alexei Gordeyev.

From Jan 1, meat deliveries from the EU to Russia would continue normally, he told journalists in Moscow after talks with EU Health Commissioner Markos Kyprianou. The European health chief said the agreement was a "positive signal for Russia and EU producers.''

The planned ban would have worsened tensions created by a Russian blockade of meat and vegetables from Poland. The agreement, to be signed Jan 18, does not resolve the dispute between Russia and Poland.

Polish Premier Jaroslaw Kaczynski said his government would be open to suspending the veto provided Russia acknowledges Poland's "basic interests.''

Earlier this month, Russia proposed signing individual agreements with EU countries that export meat, but the proposal was rejected by the commission.