Russia and Ukraine will synchronize their activities regarding imports of meat made using ractopamine, the head of Russia's veterinary and phytosanitary oversight body Rosselkhoznadzor Sergei Dankvert has told Interfax.

"We're trying to synchronize our actions with Ukraine towards meat made using ractopamine, as such products could come to the Ukrainian market," he said.

On Thursday Dankvert had phone talks with the Ukrainian colleague.

"We expressed our anxiety at the present situation, and said that if Ukraine receives meat made using ractopamine, it cannot be used to produce finished products intended for the Russian market," Dankvert said.

He said that the Ukrainian side assured him that Ukraine was sticking to the agreements reached earlier. They foresee that products made only of Ukrainian meat are supplied to Russia.

Dankvert said that there is high likelihood that Ukraine will introduce similar requirements on imports of meat made using ractopamine.

As reported, from December 7, 2012, Rosselkhoznadzor started demanding documents that prove the absence of ractopamine in products from countries that use ractopamine. The system will be in effect during a transition period, which term will be defined later.

The United States, Canada, Brazil and Mexico very actively use ractopamine. The United States called on Russia to revise the refusal to import meat containing ractopamine.

Ractopamine, a drug that is used as a feed additive to promote leanness in animals, is banned in 160 countries.