Ukraine's Minister to persuade the Russian Gov. to lift a ban on imports

Agriculture Minister Oleksandr Baranivsky will probably travel to Moscow Sunday, January 30, to try to persuade the Russian government to lift a ban on imports of meat and dairy products, as said Minister's press secretary Oleksandr Horobets. 

"We need to do our best for lifting the ban...or Ukraine will be forced to impose bans also," Horobets quoted the Minister.

Ivan Bisyuk, the chief of the State Veterinary Department, will join Baranivskiy in the talks, the source said.

Baranivsky said earlier this week that the ban was politically motivated to punish Ukraine for its tough position on regaining control over Black Sea Fleet navigation stations in Crimea.

Russia's Federal Veterinary and Phytosanitary Control Service said it not discuss a lifting of the ban on meat imports from Ukraine, unless Ukraine takes effective measures to prevent meat contraband.