Russia has lifted almost all the restrictions on poultry imports from Ukraine starting from July 1, Rosselkhoznadzor, the agricultural watchdog, according to Kyiv Post, citing a report on Interfax.

However, only selected Ukrainian companies will be allowed to bring their products to Russia.

Rosselkhoznadzor head, Sergei Dankvert, told Interfax: "Only enterprises certified by the Russian service, those which meet our requirements, will be able to export both raw materials and finished products to Russia.

"The latest checks conducted in Ukraine show that not all the companies are ready to meet Russia's requirements." The principal reason for this is that Ukraine is harmonising its rules with the European standards, which differ from the Russian ones.

As a result of the inspection, only Elitex Ltd. (Donetsk region) has received permission to supply finished products to Russia starting today (1 July). Another two enterprises – CJSC Sniatynska Nova poultry farm (Ivano-Frankivsk region), and CJSC Myronivka poultry Farm (Cherkasy region) – are allowed to supply raw poultry products.

The restrictions on imports of Ukrainian livestock products, including poultry, were introduced in late 2005 and early 2006.