Polish authorities declared that Russia's ban on food imports was costing its agricultural industry $1 million per day in lost revenues, as Polish Foreign Minister Stefan Meller slammed Russian authorities for imposing the ban so indiscriminately.
Conceding that some Polish products enter the country illegally, Meller said in a radio interview he objected to how Russia imposed a sweeping ban on meat and vegetable products in just a few days. "It is a bit stunning that there is such a sweeping reaction because of a few dishonest exporters," Meller told Ekho Moskvy radio, admitting some exports do enter the country on forged documents.
Last week, Russia introduced a ban on Polish meat and plant products, later extending the ban to include virtually all agricultural products. While Russia says it imposed the ban over violations of its veterinary regulations, some observers see it as being politically motivated. Overall, Russia accounts for around 7 percent of total Polish exports. The issue of the ban is expected to be discussed at the EU agriculture ministers' meeting at Poland's request.
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