December 18, 2007

Brazil to gain sole control on Russian-bound meat exports

Russia's agricultural watchdog will grant full control to Brazil for its meat exports to Russia by January 1, 2008.

All responsibility pertaining to the security and quality of Brazilian meat products exported to Russia will rest with Brazil's veterinary service, according to Rosselkhoznadzor in a news release.

Last year, Brazil's share in Russian beef imports was 40 percent, pork at 37 percent and poultry at 15 percent.

Alexei Alekseyenko, spokesman for Rosselkhoznadzor, said Russian authoritie would just assist Brazil in establishing a system to control its meat products for exports.

The news release also said that Sergei Dankvert, the head of the service, had proposed to his Brazilian counterparts that they attend in mid-January a bilateral working group in Moscow to finalize the terms and conditions to ensure Brazil's meat quality and supplies.