Brussels, 16/03/2005 (Agence Europe) - As expected, the European Union and Russia have concluded an agreement which will lift the block on European plant product exports to Russia (flowers, plants and seeds). This was announced by the European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection Markos Kyprianou (EUROPE yesterday p 8). Following the long and final discussions with the Head of Russian veterinary services, Sergey Dankvert, who had come to Brussels to finalise negotiations which had been dragging on since last autumn, Kyprianou declared to the press, “We have reached an agreement. It has been a difficult process”.
The compromise focuses on phytosanitary certification of products and will include the harmonisation of export documents for European products to the Russian market as from 1 April. A transition period, however, is planned of three months, during which these products can be exported to Russia if they are accompanied by a certificate of the Member State from whence they come. From 1 July, only European harmonised certificates will be allowed. Last October Russia demanded the setting up of such a certificate by 1 April and threatened, if it were not forthcoming, to block entry of all Community plant products. Member States are hoping that Russia will lift the current block on plant products from Germany, Denmark and Estonia. Only the Netherlands has so far succeeded in negotiating arrangement with Russia, at least partially, for accepting their flower exports. Animal products: Russia is blocking pork meat products from France. On 1 January 2005 the EU introduced a harmonised veterinary certificate for animal product exports to Russia (EUROPE 3 September 2004).