Milking the Russian market
Last week Deputy Prime Minister Jerzy Hausner and Agriculture Minister Wojciech Olejniczak secured promises from EU officials that they would intervene in Poland's three-month-long standoff with Russia over dairy and sugar exports.
"We received sincere assurances that the Commission would look into this problem," said Olejniczak.
On November 3 of last year, Russian inspectors slammed the door on Polish milk products coming into Russia, citing sanitation concerns. Up to now, only two Polish firms, both belonging to Danone, have received approval to re-enter the Russian market.
According to Polish officials, the restrictions are unjustified. "The obstacles do not directly concern sanitary norms, but rather market access and its regulations," said Olejniczak, who added that Polish dairies meet all EU veterinary and sanitary regulations.
In the first 10 months of last year, Polish exports to Russia amounted to over $2.2 (zł.8.3) billion, making the Polish economy that much more dependent on the Russian market, and the restrictions all the more painful.
Hausner discussed the issue with EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson, complaining that the Russians weren't living up to their obligations.
"For example, they announce an inspection, and then the inspectors don't arrive," he said. "They promised a decision on the dairy matter within a definite period, and finally sent a fax with approval for Danone, without mentioning the remaining companies."
For his part, Mandelson gave assurances that the EU would intervene in the dispute on Poland's behalf.
"The Commissioner promised dialog with Russia," reported Hausner after the meeting.
Poland's problems constitute part of a larger trade dispute between Russia and the EU. Recently, Moscow has insisted that EU imports meet the same strict safety criteria as those the bloc imposes on Russian products. In the past few months import bans have been placed on EU agricultural products ranging from coffee to tulips.
"We received sincere assurances that the Commission would look into this problem," said Olejniczak.
On November 3 of last year, Russian inspectors slammed the door on Polish milk products coming into Russia, citing sanitation concerns. Up to now, only two Polish firms, both belonging to Danone, have received approval to re-enter the Russian market.
According to Polish officials, the restrictions are unjustified. "The obstacles do not directly concern sanitary norms, but rather market access and its regulations," said Olejniczak, who added that Polish dairies meet all EU veterinary and sanitary regulations.
In the first 10 months of last year, Polish exports to Russia amounted to over $2.2 (zł.8.3) billion, making the Polish economy that much more dependent on the Russian market, and the restrictions all the more painful.
Hausner discussed the issue with EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson, complaining that the Russians weren't living up to their obligations.
"For example, they announce an inspection, and then the inspectors don't arrive," he said. "They promised a decision on the dairy matter within a definite period, and finally sent a fax with approval for Danone, without mentioning the remaining companies."
For his part, Mandelson gave assurances that the EU would intervene in the dispute on Poland's behalf.
"The Commissioner promised dialog with Russia," reported Hausner after the meeting.
Poland's problems constitute part of a larger trade dispute between Russia and the EU. Recently, Moscow has insisted that EU imports meet the same strict safety criteria as those the bloc imposes on Russian products. In the past few months import bans have been placed on EU agricultural products ranging from coffee to tulips.
