Russia expands ban on Brazil's meat

Russia's food safety watchdog had suspended meat imports from another eight meat processing plants in Brazil, according to the Brazilian Agriculture Ministry.

 

The temporary ban follows inspections of 29 Brazilian firms carried out by Rosselkhoznadzor in April and comes into force on May 30.

 

"We have received an official notification from Rosselkhoznadzor saying that the produce of eight out of 29 companies where the Russian experts conducted inspections in April does not meet the Russian requirements," a spokesman for the ministry said.

 

In addition, the restrictions on imports from four Brazilian meat processing plants, which were imposed earlier, also remain effective until further notice.

 

"We have to analyse the issue and investigate the situation at the firms that were put on this list," the official said.

 

Meat and meat products constitute about 65% of Brazilian exports to Russia, with an estimated annual value of US$2.2 billion. Brazil is also a key supplier of soy and soy products to Russia.