THE Russian chief veterinary officer, Mr Vyacheslav Avilov, threatened to walk out of the discussions at the BSE negotiations at Dublin airport if they were politicised, the Minister for Agriculture said.

Mr Yates was replying to Mr Noel Davern (FF, Tipperary South) who asked why Cork, Tipperary and Monaghan were excluded from beef exports while Wexford, the third on the BSE list and the Minister's constituency, was included.

The Russians had made the decision based on the figures for the year, Mr Yates said. But the figures changed constantly, even with the discovery of three further cases.

During a question and answer session, he said the Taoiseach knew he had not been present at the Dublin Airport meeting. Mr Bruton had been briefed almost daily since the crisis started, said Mr Yates.

Replying to the Fianna Fail spokesman on agriculture, Mr Brian Cowen, the Minister said he had twice met the Russian delegation, once in the Department and on the other occasion for an evening meal. The Taoiseach had also met the delegation over a meal.

The discussions covered Russia Ireland relations, the price competitiveness of Irish beef and the controls in place. But the detailed discussions were official.

Mr Cowen said the extent of the Taoiseach's involvement was in having a meal with the delegation, which showed the priority the matter had received.

In his experience as a minister, said Mr Yates, some of the most important exchanges of views had taken place over a meal and a bottle of wine. "I will be quite frank about that. I think it is part of the Irish charm offensive that we do that kind of thing rather well, if I may say so, particularly in the Department of Agriculture.

Mr Tom Kill (FF, Dublin South) said it was the Minister's fault that at least 10 butcher shops had closed in Dublin because of the crisis.