Certification of quality

Poland is the fourth-biggest food producer in the European Union, but according to experts, the industry is in dire need of good certification standards and promotion.

"We recently had to deal with food import restrictions from Russia and Ukraine and at least part of the accusations from these countries were grounded in fact. We have to eliminate the companies which breach regulations. That's why we want to establish an Institute for Food Quality, which would associate industry organizations, academics and experts and provide certificates for food producers," said Andrzej Arendarski of the National Chamber of Commerce (KIG).

"The Institute won't be directed against existing state institutions. We consulted the Ministry of Agriculture about the idea and invited the Polish Center for Testing and Certification to Cooperate with us," Arendarski added.

"The fault for Russian and Ukrainian embargoes lies partly on the Polish side and although we have great potential in food production, it is a myth that Poland could become a power in organic food. What brings profits are mass, standardized products that comply with strict certification requirements, said Stanisław Ziętara, vice president of the agricultural committee in KIG.

In mid November 2005, Russia closed its market first for Polish meat and later for other food products, claiming that numerous veterinary and phytosanitary certificates had been forged. Early this year, Ukraine banned imports of Polish meat on similar grounds. The two markets combined account for some 10 percent of Polish food exports.

Both embargoes are temporary, according to Nikolai Zachmatov, trade counsel of the Russian Embassy in Poland.