December 6, 2010

Ukraine threatens to block Polish meat

The Ukrainian Veterinary Committee has threatened once more to impose sanctions on Polish pork producers due to found antibiotics and E. coli in some of its meat products.

Poland's deputy Chief Veterinarian Krzysztof Jazdzewski stated Thursday (Dec 2) that the country's Veterinary Inspectorate has not received any official information from Ukraine on the matter.

Meat market experts in Ukraine do not expect a total embargo on Polish meat, but the Veterinary Committee is warning an audit of Polish veterinary authorities is possible, as well as a ban on import of some of Polish meat products.

Experts are of the opinion a total embargo on Polish meat could lead to a surge in meat prices on the Ukrainian market. In 2006, an embargo on Polish meat caused the prices of meat and sausage to rise 45%.