Russia sends Poland list of approved meat exporters

MOSCOW, December 21 (RIA Novosti) - Russia's agricultural watchdog has sent Poland's veterinary service a list of Polish companies approved to export food and agricultural produce to Russia, Rosselkhoznadzor said Friday.

The list includes six meat companies entitled to supply Russia with beef and pork, nine with poultry, 20 with dairy produce and one company approved to supply Russia with egg products. Four companies are entitled to store agricultural products prior to onward shipment to Russia.

Russia clarified the terms of meat product supplies from Poland, following Moscow's decision to lift a two-year ban on Polish meat.

Rosselkhoznadzor head Sergei Dankvert and Polish veterinary chief Ewa Lech signed on Wednesday a memorandum to lift a ban on Polish meat supplies imposed by Russia in November 2005 over what it called the low quality of meat and other products imported by and via Poland.

Russia's watchdog also said meat to be supplied to Russia from Poland must meet Russian requirements.

The ban on Polish meat has proved a major source of tension between Russia and Poland, which vetoed talks on a new Russia-EU partnership and cooperation agreement in protest against the embargo.

Center-right politician Donald Tusk's victory in Polish parliamentary elections in October prompted hopes that Warsaw would take a more accommodating stance on disputes with Russia, including on the meat issue.

Source: en.rian.ru