Minister for Food, Agriculture and Fisheries Eva Kjer Hansen was in Russia in September to put pressure on her Russian ministerial colleague to reopen for exports of Danish meat. The first important results of the efforts to secure exports of Danish food products to Russian came over Christmas. The reason for the Russian import ban was traces of antibiotics in the meat. The traces were below the EU’s threshold.

“I am satisfied that the constructive dialogue I have had with my Russian colleague and the contact there has been between the Danish authorities and their Russian counterparts have given a result,” says Eva Kjer Hansen.

The Russian authorities have also approved 15 Danish fishing companies, so they can export fish to the Russian market from the turn of the year.

Exports to Russia from a number of Danish businesses have been suspended since the spring of 2007, and have yet to be reopened for five bacon factories and one factory that cuts and slices meat.

“It’s positive that the Russians have now reopened for imports from a number of Danish businesses following our negotiations,” says Food Minister Eva Kjer Hansen. “However, imports from several Danish meat businesses are unfortunately still suspended. Similarly, there are several fishing businesses that still cannot enter the gigantic Russian market. We are therefore continuing the dialogue with the Russians about reopening the markets for our good Danish food products.”