Brussels, 18/02/2013 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission is calling on Moscow to lift its ban on imports of refrigerated German meat, which in the Commission's eyes is applied unfairly and disproportionately.
The Commission is challenging the urgent restrictive measures imposed by Russia since 4 February, which are motivated by the lack of proper control by health services in Germany.
“The EU and its member states have made all the necessary efforts to conform to the requirements of the customs union (between Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan) and of Russia. The measures announced by Russia are not justified from a technical or legal point of view and are disproportionate”, the Commission notes in a note lodged at the WTO on 8 February, which was unveiled at the end of last week.
Similar Russian restriction measures to the import of meat have also affected the United States since 11 February, for health reasons. The American trade representative, Ron Kirk, last week criticised Russia's refusal to engage in constructive dialogue.
Having joined the WTO in August 2012, Russia has since been the object of regular reproof concerning access to its market, which is also restricted in other sectors - including the automotive and forestry sectors. (EH/transl.fl)