Russia requires safe meat imports from EU

The Russian government wants bilateral agreements with EU nations guaranteeing the safety of meat products imported into the country. Moscow will only import meat from those countries willing to certify the safety of their exports.

It's been said that the EU can't ensure the safety of meat imported by Russia once Bulgaria and Romania join the alliance in 2007.

A top official from the Russian Agriculture Inspection Agency says it will conduct negotiations bilaterally with each EU nation.

But EU representatives fear a Russian ban on meat from Europe would affect $US 2.2 BLN worth of trade.