September 27, 2010

Mongolian meat sector seeks removal of Russian ban

Mongolian meat industry representatives on Friday (Sep 24) demanded that the government take measures to lift the ban on their beef exports to Russia, the president's press service said.

After foot-and-mouth disease broke out in Eastern Mongolia in May, Russia imposed a temporary ban on Mongolian beef imports since September 13.

While meeting with president's office head Battulga Dashjamts and presidential advisor Erkhembayar, Mongolian Meat Federation Director Lhachinbal said the Russians decided to buy Mongolian horse meat instead of beef.

Mongolian meat companies have poor storage capacity, thus if the ban continues, meat preparation in Mongolia would likely to stop.

Meat exports should always be at their peak at this time of year, while the slaughter of livestock animals for export would continue until November.

The ban would slow the processes and many meat exporters are likely to face hardships to pay off bank loans.

"We would like to ask Russia to reconsider the ban on meat products prepared from Central and Western Mongolia, which have no outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease," Lhachinbal said.

Battulga said he would pass the request to the president. He believed the president would take necessary measures to help the meat exporters through their current hard times.