Russia, USA negotiate chicken limbs

Specialists from agriculture ministries of Russia and the USA have met in Moscow to negotiate for a new certificate on import of American poultry to Russia, told journalists Vice Premier and Agriculture Minister Alexei Gordeyev.

The Russian side intends to maintain its firm position on chicken legs, said Gordeyev. According to his words, compromise was out of the question. Russia will be guided by its legislation and by sanitary norms and rules, he said, adding, "What compromise are we talking about when it comes to people's health." At the same time, Gordeyev completely ruled out the possibility of the sides failing to reach an agreement, citing world practice and explaining the exporter always had to comply with the rules set by the importer.

In the meantime, Russia hopes the new certificate will come into effect on August 1, 2002. From a technical point of view, "there must be no difficulties in putting it into effect" since it takes only 1 or 2 days to issue it, said Gordeyev.