Russia lifts polish meat ban

The move follows a meeting between the Russian agriculture minister, Aleksey Gordeev and the new Polish agriculture minister, Marek Sawicki. The renewal of trade in cattle breeding stock from Poland was one of the main themes of the talks. “The temporary ban on the import of meat products from Poland will be lifted and imports will be able to start next week following the signing of a memorandum between the veterinary officials of our two countries in Kaliningrad,” said Gordeeyev.

“Imports will be able to start next week following the signing of a memorandum between the veterinary officials.” He added that the veterinary experts had managed to refine the regulations over hygiene regulations that had blocked trade in meat products between Poland and Russia for several months. The new measures will ensure that only quality Polish products will be able to enter Russia and it will prevent products from third countries coming into Russia through Poland - the crux of the crisis that had led to the ban. However, Gordeeyev said that at the same time, some products from Poland will continue to be barred, including poultry meat, eggs and fish meal.

Measures have also been introduced in Poland to restrict poultry breeding and poultry trading following an outbreak of avian influenza in the country, although Gordeeyev said that these measures would be on a regional basis. The two agriculture ministries are now also entering into negotiations over phytosanitary arrangements for trade in horticultural products, as Gordeeyev said that the Polish regulations do not match those required by Russia.

The two sides have agreed to hold an agricultural conference next year and the final trade and hygiene measures will be ratified during the Green Week international exhibition in Berlin in January. (thepoultrysite)