September 6, 2007

Russia to inspect Brazilian beef plants

Roughly 20 Russian food service agents arrived in Brazil on Tuesday (September 4) evening to inspect Brazil's beef industry supply chain, from ranches to meat-packing facilities, the Agriculture Ministry said in a press release on Wednesday (September 5).

Russia is Brazil's leading beef importer and has jeered Brazil's animal health inspection, export quality control certification and food safety procedures over the last two years, banning beef from numerous states and individual meat-packing facilities.

"This is an important market for Brazil and it deserves all of our attention," said Reinhold Stephanes, Brazil's Agriculture Minister.

The Russian officials will also spend time in Brazilian animal health laboratories accompanied by federal veterinarians.

Animal and Plant Safety official Inacio Kroetz said the visit should improve ties between the two countries' veterinarian and food safety services.

"We hope this visit leads to a reopening of areas off limits to export, and a mutual understanding on the animal health and safety system of both countries," Kroetz said in the press release.

Brazil is the world's leading beef exporter.