May 14, 2007

Russia plans to step up checks on Belarusian meat facilities

Russia's food safety agency Rosselkhoznadzor has indicated its intention to inspect more Belarusian meat-packing and dairy facilities during recent talks between Ivan Bambiza, Belarus' deputy prime minister, and Russian agriculture minister Aleksei Gordeyev in Moscow, the agency said.

Up on the agenda was also the issue of Polish meat exports to Russia, which Russia banned last year citing food safety concerns.

Many Belarusian meat-packing facilities continue to purchase Polish meat. According to Rosselkhoznadzor, Poland exported 32,000 tonnes of meat to Belarus last year, raising Russian fears that some of the banned products might find their way to the world's largest country by land area.

The Belarusian agriculture ministry has not commented on the outcome of the negotiations so far.

Earlier this year, Russia announced that it would only allow continued dairy, meat and fish imports from Belarusian companies that met Russian veterinary and sanitary standards.

Rosselkhoznadzor plans to inspect meat-packing plants in the Belarusian regions of Homyel and Mahilyow soon.