Russia signals an end to the ban on Polish meat imports

"This declaration should be a sufficient signal for the Polish government that Moscow is ready to negotiate lifting the embargo on meat imports from Poland," stated Putin. Polish meat imports were banned since November 2005 following Russian claims that veterinary certificates accompanying the meat were forged. Putin added that, "The aggressive statements we hear from our Polish colleagues do not help solve the problems." Polish entrepreneurs welcomed the readiness of the Russians to solve the conflict but they remain realistic. "Of course we maintain our contacts with our Russian partners, but we realize that it will be almost impossible to return to our position on the Russian market since our competitors moved in during our absence," stated Maciej Duda, the president of PKM Duda meat processing plant. (Rzeczpospolita, p. B5; Puls Biznesu, p. 12) E.B.