Food exports to Russia threatened by EU agreements

This is the result of the condition to annul 88 bilateral economic agreements with countries not entering the EU in May 2004, including Russia. After accession, Poland's trade with third countries will be regulated by EU agreements with those states. However, it is possible that the Sejm may not ratify the protocol to the agreement on this issue with the EU on time. This may result in growing custom duties on Polish food products. Another painful issue are veterinary and sanitary norms, which need to be regulated by a transition agreement on trade with Russia, which is now being prepared by Poland. (Rzeczpospolita, p. B2) M.M.