Russia to ban EU animal imports
EU - Russia has told the European Union it intends to ban all animal product imports from the EU from January 1 because Moscow claims new members Bulgaria and Romania have poor animal health standards, the European Commission said today.
22 November 2006
1 minute read
Commission spokesman Philip Tod told reporters that the Russians had informed the EU’s executive office “of their intention to ban EU animal product exports” starting January 1 when the two Balkan nations are set to join.
The decision, relayed to Brussels on November 3, complicates already touchy relations before a summit on Friday between President Vladimir Putin and EU leaders.
Russia already bans meat and some plant imports from Poland. Unless that is lifted, the Poles say they will bloc the launch of talks on a new agreement to tighten political and economic ties between Russia and the EU.
Tod said the EU had taken steps to protect safety standards after Romania and Bulgaria join.
“We would not regard such a measure as justified or necessary,” he said. “The EU has taken all necessary measures to ensure the protection of animal health.”
In Moscow, Russia’s Veterinary and Phytosanitary Control Service, Rosselkhoznadzor, confirmed it has warned the EU that Russia could stop issuing licences for EU imports as of January 1 if it does not receive guarantees of the safety and quality of meat imported from Bulgaria and Romania, Russian news agencies reported.
Source: irishexaminer.com
