January 29, 2014

Russia bans import of Australia's beef by-products due to growth stimulant use

Russia has imposed a ban on Australia's beef by-products, including offal, after the discovery of a growth stimulant, known as trenbolone, in several shipments, said Russian agriculture watchdog, Rosselkhoznadzo.

The temporary restrictions also affect Belarus and Kazakhstan, two ex-Soviet nations which are a part of a Moscow-led Customs Union.

While trenbolone has been allowed in some countries, Russia considers it to be unsafe.

Rosselkhoznadzor's chief, Sergei Dankvert, said that the ban applied to beef by-products as they accumulate the growth stimulant in greater quantities than regular meat.

According to the Interfax news agency, Australia had sent 13,000 tonnes of beef by-products to former Soviet states in the first 10 months of 2013, with most bound for Russia. In addition, the country reportedly delivered about 30,000 tonnes of beef in the same year.

The trade is worth US$21.3 million.

Russia has frequently imposed temporary bans on meat products over the use of hormones which are allowed in countries such as the US whereas such application is more restricted due to Moscow's stringent regulations.

Australia is the world's third-largest exporter of beef after the US and Brazil.