020413 Moscow Might NOT Lift Ban On U.S. Poultry

Moscow - Russia's agriculture minister said that Moscow might not lift a ban on U.S. poultry imports, despite a recent agreement that appeared to end the tense trade dispute.

Alexander Gordeyev also said Russia could introduce separate import quotas for poultry, the ITAR-Tass news agency reported.

U.S. Ambassador Alexander Vershbow and Russia's chief veterinary inspector, Mikhail Kravchuk, signed an agreement that addressed Russia's concerns about sanitary issues. Those concerns prompted a ban that went into effect March 10.

Vershbow said the ban would be lifted before April 10, after the United States meets requirements set by Russia.

However, Gordeyev cast doubt on American exporters' willingness to meet the requirements, saying that before they do so it was too early to speak of an end to the ban, the ITAR-Tass news agency reported.

Gordeyev also said Russian chicken was better quality, according to ITAR-Tass.

At the same time, the Agriculture Ministry is discussing possible import quotas on poultry with the Economic Development and Trade Ministry, Gordeyev said during a trip to the central Russian city of Penza.

Russian officials insisted that the ban on U.S. poultry was not a protectionist measure, but simply reflected health concerns. However, last month Gordeyev criticized Russia's reliance on food imports, particularly meat, saying the issue affected national security.

With exports to Russia bringing dlrs 600 million to dlrs 700 million a year to poultry producers in 38 U.S. states, the issue has topped the U.S.-Russian agenda recently.

U.S. President George W. Bushand Russia's Vladimir Putin said in their telephone conversation that they were satisfied the issue had been resolved with Sunday's agreement, White House spokesman Sean McCormack said.

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