February 10, 2006

Israel temporarily suspends Argentine beef imports

The government of Israel has temporarily suspended beef imports from Argentina after the South American nation confirmed Wednesday that 70 cattle in a northern province had been stricken with FMD, Gustavo Idigoras, Argentina's Agricultural Attache to the EU, said Thursday.

Idigoras said Israel has temporarily suspended Argentine beef and has asked for more details about the situation.

Israel ranked eleventh as an export destination for Argentine beef products last year, according to data from Argentina's animal and food inspection agency, Senasa. Israel imported US$58.4 million worth of Argentine beef products in 2005.

Israel's decision comes after Albania, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Peru and Uruguay enacted similar restrictions--or at least partial bans--on the importation of Argentine beef.

Idigoras said officials in Russia, the leading importer of fresh Argentine beef last year, will decide next week how to respond to the outbreak of FMD in Argentina.