Irish beef may face Russia ban as trade row grows

THE Russian ambassador to the EU refused to give guarantees Irish beef would not be banned under a threatened embargo on European meat exports to Russia in January.

The four Fianna Fáil members of the European Parliament lobbied Vladmir Chizhov in Brussels yesterday. Russia is Ireland’s largest customer outside the EU for meat exports, taking 25,000 tonnes a year.

Mr Chizhov said they were concerned about the safety of meat from Romania and Bulgaria and that it would illegally make its way into Russia after the two countries join the EU in January. Asked if Russia would make an exception for Ireland, he said: “We will have to look into the existing procedures.”

He said Irish farmers should continue to produce high-quality meat and ensure veterinary authorities of the EU ensure all meat is of an adequate quality.

He denied it had anything to do with political issues including the vetoing by Poland of an agreement to start negotiations on a new EU-Russia trade and association deal last week.

“There are no political strings attached to this issue. These are technical issues,” he said.

MEP Liam Aylward said the proposed ban arises from a row between the Russians and the Poles as a result of Russia banning Polish meat.

MEP Brian Crowley said, “The Russians are using a sledgehammer to crack a nut. This could be resolved through diplomatic means.”

While Irish meat exports to Russia have fallen in recent years, he said the chilled beef market was offering a future opportunity to increase these exports.