January 25, 2006                                                       

Indian buffalo meat passed off as NZ beef in Russia, Ukraine

Water buffalo meat from India is being passed off as New Zealand beef in eastern Europe, said Russian and Ukrainian officials.

Ukranian Prime Minister Yuri Yekhanurov said some dealers had brought in ox meat from India through the Odessa seaport. For these shipments, the fake documents identified the meat as New Zealand beef.

The meat was discovered on the Russian border in Bryansk. Russia banned  imports of all Ukrainian cattle products on Jan 20.

Yekhanurov said another 400 containers of the meat from India would be held at the port.

Russia's Federal Service said about 200 tonnes of boneless beef, specified as of New Zealand origin, has been detained. An investigation by New Zealand authorities has shown that the documents for the shipment were fake.