June 29, 2004

Brazil Government To Negotiate End Of Russia Meat Embargo

A Brazilian government mission will visit their Russian counterparts this week in an attempt to lift the embargo on their beef and pork exports, the Agriculture Ministry said Monday.
 
According to Linneu da Costa Lima, the Agriculture Ministry's trade and production secretary leading the mission, Brazil could use the possibility of raising restrictions on wheat imports as a tool in negotiations.
 
Russia suspended imports of Brazilian meat a week ago following the discovery of the highly contagious foot-and-mouth disease on an isolated farm in the northern state of Para.
 
"I am traveling on the orders of Agriculture Minister Roberto Rodgrigues with the mission to resolve the impasse," said Costa Lima in a statement.
 
Russia is a major importer of Brazilian meat, accounting for 12% of all shipments, with pork the main product, according to the Ministry.
 
Meanwhile, Brazil is the world's largest wheat importer, taking in an estimated 5.9 million metric tons in 2004, according to the Ministry. The majority of imports come from neighboring Argentina, although Brazilian millers have also been importing from European countries such as Ukraine and Poland over the last two years. Russian authorities have expressed interest in the Brazilian market, although exports are restricted pending the completion of Brazilian risk analysis on wheat there.
 
The mission will meet with Brazilian exporters at the embassy in Moscow on Monday, and then is due to meet with Russia's Deputy Agriculture Minister Sergei Dankvert on Tuesday.
 
The foot-and-mouth disease outbreak, the first on Brazilian soil in 34 months, led Argentina to ban beef imports last week and Indonesia to suspend imports of soy and corn meal for fear that it could carry the foot-and-mouth disease virus.
 
The viral disease can be fatal for cloven-hoofed animals such as sheep, pigs, goats and cows but does not affect humans.