MOSCOW, October 11 (RIA Novosti) - Russia will lift restrictions on the import of poultry and eggs from the U.S. state of Maryland as of October 12, the Agriculture Ministry said Wednesday.

The Russian Veterinary and Phytosanitary Oversight Service introduced the restrictions on September 8, citing bird flu concerns following breakouts of the virus in Maryland and Pennsylvania.

Veterinary control of agricultural produce has proved a major stumbling block at Russia's bilateral talks with the United States over its accession to the World Trade Organization. The talks broke down in July over a U.S. demand that Russian authorities issue certificates for American meat imports without prior safety checks.

Agriculture Minister Alexei Gordeyev has said Russia may lower the U.S. poultry quota, currently at 1.2 billion metric tons, if the American negotiators maintain their uncompromising stance at the next round of WTO accession talks, due in October.

According to Gordeyev, poultry exports to Russia bring the U.S. about $1 billion in revenue annually.