10 June 2004 05:04
Russia won`t change stance on EU meat imports
MOSCOW. June 10 (Interfax) - Russia has not changed its stance on EU meat imports, Agriculture Minister Alexei
Gordeyev told Interfax.
European Commissioner Chris Patten called on Russia to settle the
EU meat import problem as soon as possible at a press conference in
"The problem has been resolved at the level of Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov and European Commission President
Romano Prodi, and there can be no changes," he said.
Brussels.
Russia insists on European Commission guarantees of the imported meat quality, Gordeyev said. "We realize there
are objective problems in the introduction of a unified veterinary certificate of the European Union, but there is
enough time to solve them," he said.
At first, Russia planned to introduce unified veterinary certificates from May 1, but Europe requested a delay until
June 1. The certificates were not ready by June 1, either. Russian veterinarians stopped signing the old certificates on
June 1, and EU meat imports were suspended.
Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov and European Commission President Romano Prodi had to interfere in the situation.
Veterinary certificates signed by Russia and some EU member-countries will be in effect until early October. [RU EUROPE
EEU EMRG EU LIV TRD] te tl
[Interfax] |
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