June 2, 2006

Russia to lift Canada beef import ban if conditions met

Russia would lift its ban on the import of beef from Canada, if its experts were allowed to check on its quality, the Russian food quality watchdog Rosselkhoznadzor said Thursday (Jun 1).

Russia's ban has been in effect since May 2003 when a case of mad cow disease was discovered in Canada.

The head of the organization said Russia is striving towards the restoration of the trade and the onus is on Canada to allow inspections adding that trade may be resumed within 2 weeks from the date of the inspection.