Mongolia Plans To Increase Meat Deliveries To Russia

Mongolia plans to increase meat deliveries to Russia in 2002. The Mongolian Ministry of Food and Agriculture informed RIA Novosti that the first 20 tonnes are already ready to be delivered. A month ago Russia lifted a ban for meat imports from western regions of Mongolia imposed in connection with the foot-and-mouth cases registered in that country. The deliveries will be made from slaughter-houses certified by Russian veterinary experts and under strict control from Russian veterinary surgeons. According to estimates made by specialists of the Mongolian Ministry of Food and Agriculture, the republic can deliver to Russia 40,000-45,000 tonnes of ecologically safe meat a year. Last year the deliveries amounted to 16,000 tonnes.