December 27, 2008
Russia issues meat import warning
Russia will not take on new obligations on meat imports if it fails to join the WTO by 2010, according to Maksim Medvedkov, the head of the Russia delegation at the Russia-WTO talks, on Friday (Dec 26).
Russia wants to start consultations with foreign meat suppliers, but they will only place on the condition that the country joins the WTO in 2010, said Medvedkov, adding that new obligations will not be taken on until Russia joins the organisation.
If Russia does not join the WTO by 2010, it will be able to impose restrictions on meat imports at its discretion, Medvedkov warned.
Medvedkov also said as of January 2009, Russia will closely monitor the volumes and conditions of supplies of about 30 types of Ukrainian products because of Ukraine joining the WTO.