Ministry of Economy requests EC to start dispute with Russia before WTO

Poland’s Ministry of Economy requested EC that the dispute concerning Russian embargo on EU food be resolved by WTO, told the Economy Resort Polish Press Agency. Experts say that Russia might, in compliance with WTO regulations, be forced to pay damages arising from Russia’s market closure, but the decision is usually time-absorbing. Poland’s Minister of Agriculture Marek Sawicki plans a meeting with EU Commissioner for Trade Karl De Gucht on Tuesday. The WTO system for dispute solution assumes that consultations between the WTO member countries are priority. The dispute arises when WTO member countries consider the operations of another WTO member country as being against WTO regulations or duties imposed by WTO. Polish Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development ascertains that Polish fruit and vegetable sector may encounter losses amounting to about EUR 500 million, as a result of the Russian embargo.