4/13/2007

Russia acknowledges Poland's progress in meat dispute, wants new inspections - EC spokesman

Russia has acknowledged that Poland made progress addressing the sanitary objections that resulted in an embargo on Polish meat products to Russia, Philip Tod, a spokesperson for the European Commission, told Interfax Central Europe Thursday.
"We received a reply from Russia to the information we supplied them about the embargo," said Tod, who is the spokesperson for the European Health and Consumer Protection Commissioner Markos Kyprianou. "We consider it a positive step in the process. For the first time in writing, Russia acknowledged progress made by Poland."

Russia's latest letter to the European Commission follows information the EU sent to Russia on veterinary inspections that took place in Poland in February. Tod said Russia again recommends repeat inspections of Polish meat processing plants licensed to export to Russia. The European Commission has so far believed the new inspections were not necessary for the lifting of the trade ban.

"Until now, based on the information we provided to Russia, we did not think any further inspections would be necessary. The Russian authorities recommend an inspection of certain issues. We first have to reply to the latest letter and clarify issues before we take a position," Tod said. "We've undertaken to respond quickly and to provide the answer early next week."

The answer will be sent before the meeting of Commissioner Kyprianou with the Russian Agriculture Minister Alexei Gordeyev, which is supposed to take place next week.

Russia introduced the trade ban on Polish food products in late 2005, accusing Poland of the failure to meet Russian quality standards and falsifications of veterinary and phytosanitary certificates. Poland retaliated late last year by blocking the negotiations of a new EU-Russia partnership and cooperation agreement.
Source:biznes.onet.pl



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