June 7, 2007

Brazil authorities head to Russia to reverse beef bans

Members from Brazil's official veterinarian service and agricultural trade negotiators will head to Russia this week in hopes to reverse a beef ban, the Agriculture Ministry said in a press release.

"We are going there with documents in hand to show that what we ship to Russia is clean and safe," said Inacio Kroetz, animal health secretary of Brazil's Agriculture Ministry. "All of the questions that they have asked of us will be responded to."

Russia has complained about private traders creating false origination documents. Government Food Safety Inspector Nelmon Costa said he would clarify the situation with Russia. Brazil will institute a new documentation process in July that will make export certificates more difficult to counterfeit.

Brazilian officials will also try to convince Russia to allow pork meat imports from Santa Catarina state in southern Brazil. The World Organization for Animal Health recently listed the state as free of foot-and-mouth disease without vaccination.

"This recognition strengthens our arguments about the health standards of Brazilian cattle," Kroetz said.

Brazil is the world's leading beef exporter and Russia is Brazil's no. 1 beef and pork market.