Russia's veterinary watchdog has warned the European Commission of possible restrictions on products of animal origin as of next year, an EU representative said Wednesday, RIA Novosti reports.
Philip Tod said the Russian authorities will hopefully accept the EU's assurances that the necessary measures have already been taken in Brussels.
A spokesman for the Russian Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Oversight confirmed that Russia will possibly introduce restrictions if the European Union fails to provide extra security and quality guarantees in regard to some countries.
"The European Union decided to include Bulgaria and Romania [as new members], but these countries are unsafe in the sense of veterinary quality," the spokesman said.
He said "the movement of goods within the European Union is unrestricted," and it cannot guarantee the safety of products exported to Russia.