September 2, 2009

Russia to ban meat imports from several countries

Russia's veterinary regulator plans to temporarily ban imports of meat and some meat products from a number of companies in Spain, Canada, France, Argentina, and China starting September 7, ITAR-TASS reported Tuesday (Sep 1).

Specifically, the regulator plans to ban pork and poultry imports from two Spanish companies, pork imports from a Canadian company, pork fat imports from a French company, beef imports from Argentina, and rabbit meat imports from China.

The regulator, which is formally called the Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Oversight, or Rosselkhoznadzor, has found harmful substances in the products of those producers.