Russia may hold up meat imports from EU

Russia's Federal food safety watchdog says meat imports from EU nations may be held up in a dispute over food safety.

Russia has threatened to ban EU meat imports since January 1, citing concerns over food safety in new EU members Bulgaria and Romania. It is also refusing to lift a year-old ban on meat imports from Poland.

The EU says a Russian embargo on EU meat could hit some $ 2.25 BLN in annual trade.