Moscow's year-long ban on Polish meat supplies pushed Warsaw to veto the start of talks on a new strategic Russia-EU partnership treaty in November 2006.
"This memorandum means that the Russian government and the European Commission have a shared outlook on standards and quality requirements for animal products, and pledge to guarantee mutual security of trade in these classes of produce," Alexei Gordeyev said.
Speaking on the sidelines of an agricultural tradeshow in the German capital earlier Friday where he held talks with his Polish counterpart, Andrzej Lepper, and EU officials, Gordeyev said: "We trust the European Commission and therefore believe the problem has been settled."
Gordeyev said a document guaranteeing the 27-nation bloc would not export produce to Russia that is not permitted for sale on European markets on health grounds, and obliging Russia to take on similar obligations, would be signed later in the day.
Late last year, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow had no claims against Polish meat, but objects to Poland re-exporting products from third countries to Russia.
Meat supplies from the EU have also recently been threatened by concerns over meat exported by Romania and Bulgaria, EU members since January 1, where livestock epidemics have been frequently reported.
Russia had sought bilateral agricultural accords with EU states to offset health risks. In late December, Russian and European veterinary and agricultural officials agreed that the EU should guarantee the quality of meat supplies and ban exports from Romania and Bulgaria.
"There is a whole range of veterinary diseases in Bulgaria and Romania," Gordeyev said. "There are no internal borders between EU countries, which form a single economic space, and we sought guarantees that banned produce from Romania and Bulgaria would not be exported to Russia via other EU countries," Gordeyev said.
Gordeyev said Russia could still impose restrictions if its health requirements for imported produce were violated, and promised to step up veterinary controls at border checkpoints.
European Health Commissioner Marcos Kyprianou said the memorandum would ensure food security for Russian and European consumers and provide for unimpeded trade ties.
German Minister for Consumer Protection and Agriculture Horst Seehofer said his country, the current EU president, backed the signing of the memorandum.
