May 23, 2006

Poland seeks EU support over Russia's import ban on meat products

Poland has asked the EU to prod Russia into lifting its import ban on Polish meat products, the Polish News Agency reported on Monday (May 22).

Russia imposed a ban on Polish meat last November due to animal diseases.

Polish Agriculture Minister Andrzej Lepper argued that Russia's ban would have an impact on EU-Russian trade relations.

The minister said he hope the EU would be firm and partake in talks that would lift the bans.

Poland was ready to meet all Russia's requirements, but Russia has continued to pile on new demands, in violation of an EU-Russian accord on cooperative partnership, he said.

Poland also questioned Russia's requirement that all EU meat exports to Russia be transported through a crossing in Bezledy, saying it would be jammed packed by vehicles.

The EU Commission has voiced serious concerns and agreed that Poland has met all the latest Russian requirements.