EU to up pressure on Russia

EU FARM ministers will put further political pressure on Russia to secure the future flow of meat exports, if technical negotiations over licensing arrangements fail to resolve an ongoing trade dispute.

The argument flared up in June when Moscow put a block on EU shipments because it wants a single veterinary certificate issued by Brussels to cover all meat of EU origin, rather than member state certificates.

Even though the trade ban was quickly lifted, Russia has threatened to reintroduce it from Oct 1 if its demands are not met.

Food safety commissioner David Byrne told ministers meeting in Brussels this week (w/e July 23) that technical discussions were continuing, focusing on the disease status of the EU and safety guarantees.

The council agreed that if these talks stall, then council president Cees Veerman should accompany Mr Byrne to Moscow to press the case.