Russian ban on Polish imports of meat and vegetable products

17.11.2005

WRITTEN QUESTION P-4408/05
by Czesław Siekierski (PPE‑DE)
to the Commission

The restrictions introduced by Russia on imports of meat and vegetable products from Poland are a matter of great concern. Russia is required to notify the Commission in advance if it plans to introduce a ban on the import of such products from an EU Member State. It has failed to do so, despite the memorandum it signed on 2 September 2004 on close cooperation and mutual information in the veterinary sector. Drastic measures have been taken without Poland being given time to provide clarification.

On the basis of the memorandum of 2 September 2004 between the EU and Russia, will the Commission take steps to restore normal conditions for exports of meat and vegetable products from Poland to Russia? Will Commissioner Marcos Kyprianou open official negotiations with Russia in an effort to resolve this matter as swiftly as possible? Restrictions on trade with Russia will have highly adverse effects on the Polish economy and many firms in the agri-foodstuffs sector will have great difficulty in finding new markets, while Polish goods will be replaced on the Russian market by goods from Brazil and elsewhere. In the light of the above, will the Commission take rapid action to resolve the situation?

OJ C 327, 30/12/2006