Russian envoy to explain imports ban

RUSSIAN ambassador Vladimir Rakhmani has been invited to attend a meeting of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Agriculture and Food to explain why his country proposes to ban imports of all European Union meat from January 1.

Committee chairman Fianna Fáil TD Johnny Brady said he had requested the attendance of Mr Rakhmani so that members can impress upon him the devastating effect a ban on Irish beef going into Russia will have on farmers here.

The Russian plan stems from a ban by them on meat imports from Poland and other claims by the Federation that EU accession states Romania and Bulgaria are not yet producing food to EU standard.

But the European Commission said it has taken all the necessary transitional measures to protect both the EU and third countries and that it considers these to be sufficient.

Irish beef exports to Russia in 2005 amounted to 27,000 tonnes carcass weight equivalent and were valued at €35.3 million.

“We must not allow a dispute between Russia and Poland to jeopardise the future of Irish beef farming,” said Mr Brady.

Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association beef committee chairman Robin Smith also urged the EU to sort out the issue as soon as possible.

“We have developed a good trade with Russia for frozen beef, and more recently a promising niche market in chilled beef.

“We cannot afford to lose access to this valuable market,” he said.