July 21, 2009
Russia partially lifts ban on Brazilian beef
Russia has partially lifted its ban on beef imports from most of Brazil, imposed in previous years due to outbreaks of vesicular stomatitis disease, according to Rosselkhoznadzor.
The ban will be kept only for the municipalities of Parana, Jau and Pedro Afonso of the Tocantins state in Brazil, the agency said.
Between July and September 2008, Russia banned imports of beef and livestock from the Brazilian states of PErnambuco, Goias and Tocantins over reports of vesicular stomatitis cases.
Russia had previously banned beef imports from Mato Grosso in February 2008.
Vesicular stomatitis causes blister-like lesions to form in the mouth, tongue, lips, nostrils, hooves, and teats of cattle, horses and swine, as well as several wild animals.
