March 28, 2014

Russia to ban Australia's frozen beef on growth stimulant usage

As of March 31, Russia will ban the import of refrigerated beef from Australia due to the use of a growth stimulant, trenbolone, Russian agricultural watchdog Rosselkhoznadzor said.

Russia's veterinary inspection detected trenbolone used in some countries, but banned in member-states of the Customs Union of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan, in beef supplied to Russia from Australia in February 2014 after the latter obliged not to use this stimulant in its exports.

Rosselkhoznadzor chief Sergei Dankvert said Russia continued to find trenbolone in Australia's beef supplies and might take serious measures for non-compliance with obligations.

On January 27, 2014, the Russian agricultural watchdog banned the import of meat by-products from Australia. Australia accounts for around 5% of Russia's total import of beef and beef by-products. In general, last year Russia exported around 611 tonnes of beef. The main exporters are Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay.