October 9, 2006

Russia lifts beef ban on two Brazilian states

Russia has lifted a ban on beef from two Brazilian states after foot-and-mouth scare last year.

Russia banned beef from the states of Goias and Sao Paulo in December after foot and mouth disease was detected in cattle there. The lifting of the ban in these two states means only beef from five Brazilian states remain banned in Russia, Brazil's second-largest beef market after the EU.

Russia lifted a ban on imports from Rio Grande do Sul in April.

In December, the country stopped importing beef and pork from Mato Grosso do Sul and Parana states, where foot-and-mouth disease was found on ranches. The ban was later widened to include the neighbouring states of Mato Grosso, Goias, Minas Gerais, Sao Paulo and Santa Catarina.