Russia denies resuming German meat imports

Russia’s veterinary services retracted Friday an earlier announcement that it would resume pork and poultry imports from Germany following a dioxin poisoning scare.

“The restrictions have not been lifted,” Rosselkhoznador agency said on its website.

“I apologise for the diffusion of false information on the lifting of restrictions on meat imports from Germany,” agency head Nikolai Vlassov said.

Earlier in the day the agency said it would resume the meat imports following negotiations with German authorities.

Vlassov said Tuesday the ban might not be lifted until mid-February for poultry and the end of March for pork.

Germany’s dioxin poisoning scandal began earlier this month with reports that a north German firm may have supplied fatty acids only meant for industrial uses to makers of animal feed late last year.

The feed was then widely distributed.

Moscow announced in early January it had reinforced checks on meat coming from Germany and other European countries.