Russia might lift Polish meat ban

WARSAW, Poland, Oct. 22 (UPI) -- A Russian diplomat Monday said Moscow could lift its ban on Polish meat and other farm products in the wake of a government change in Warsaw.

Vasilli Lihachov, deputy head of the Russian international affairs committee, said Poland’s meat exports to Russia may begin again after parliamentary elections Sunday when the liberal Civic Platform defeated the ruling nationalist party, Polish Radio reported Monday.

Lihachov told reporters in Moscow he hopes Russia and Poland can reach agreement on resuming meat trade, the radio said.

Russia has banned imports of Polish meat since 2005, claiming the quality of Polish food products was low and did not meet hygienic standards.

Polish and EU officials have rejected the Russian claims.