February 13, 2006

Russia bans meat imports from Argentine province

On Friday, Feb 10, Russia imposed a temporary ban on live animals, meat and products as well as feed from Argentina's province of Corrientes.

The ban has been introduced due to confirmed cases of FMD.

The Argentinean authorities Thursday announced an alert to prevent the disease from spreading.

In December 2005, Russia imposed a similar ban on meat imports from eight Brazilian states due to an outbreak of the disease. A high-ranking Russian official said that the ban would remain for at least one year for the states of Parana and Mato Grosso do Sul, where the disease is quite common, and for at least six months for neighbouring states.

Russia is one of the major meat importers in the world, and Argentina is keen to raise its market share there.