Veterinary controls on imported meat has become a key stumbling block at bilateral Russia-U.S. WTO negotiations, with the U.S. insisting that Russia end its system of audits and veterinary checks before issuing export certificates. Russia insists that keeping its audit system is a public safety issue.
"We simply have to be sure that the products we purchase [from the United States] are not potentially dangerous to people's health," Alexei Alekseyenko said. "If we are sure of that, than there would be no obstacles to the free trade of meat or the issuance of veterinary certificates for meat imports."
He said a group of specialists from the Russian service were currently conducting inspections at U.S. pig farms and scientific centers in order "to be sure that imported pork did not introduce trichinosis."
Trichinosis is a food-borne disease caused by a small parasitic worm, Trichinella spiralis. The first symptoms are usually abdominal pain and diarrhea, followed by fever, muscle soreness, pain and swelling around the eyes.
Alekseyenko said the specialists would return in a week, and that they would decide whether to continue inspections in other states based on the results of the inspections in three U.S. states now being audited.
He added that there was still no agreement on the audit of beef plants, but that the current talks were intensive.
