March 2, 2007

Russia lifts ban on chicken imports from Brazilian state

Russia has lifted it ban on chickens, eggs and other poultry products from Brazil' Rio Grande do Sul state, the state's poultry producers association ASGAV said Wednesday (Feb 28).

The ban was imposed in 2006 due to a Newcastle disease outbreak in a chicken farm in the state.

It was agreed between the two countries that Russia's embargo, would end March 2007.

This week, Russia removed all restrictions on its imports of live birds, eggs, meat and other bird products from Rio Grande do Sul.

Russia accounted for almost 10 percent of the state's total chicken exports before the ban.

In 2006, the state's chicken exports registered a 13-percent drop, reflecting the effect of bird flu fears on consumption.