Russia willing to consider Romanian proposal to up imports to Russia
MOSCOW. July 4 (Interfax) - Russia is willing to look at a proposal from Romania to increase imports of agricultural goods to the Russian market.
Russian Agriculture Minister Nikolai Fedorov announced this during talks with Romanian Ambassador to Russia Konstantin Grigorie, the agriculture ministry reported.
The import of animal origin products to Russia can be considered after inspection of Romanian agriculture companies by veterinary services from the Custom Union member countries, he said. This work can be carried out at the end of the third - fourth quarters of 2012, said Sergei Dankvert, the head of Russian agriculture watchdog Rosselkhoznadzor, who also attended the meeting.
The participants of the meeting noted the progress that has been made in developing bilateral relations in agriculture. A task force was set up in 2011 following a meeting where it was decided to develop interaction in areas such as breeding, seed production, horticulture, wine making and exhibition activity.
Fedorov said that in 2011 exports of agricultural products to Romania had increased 12% year-on-year to $10.3 million from $9.2 million and imports from Romania almost 44% to $47 million from $32.8 million. "This trend will continue for the first half of this year, indicating the serious potential for developing a partnership in the agriculture sector," Fedorov said.
