April 16, 2007

Russia seen to import Canadian beef in mid-2007

Beef products from Canada are projected to penetrate the Russian market this summer, following the news that meat inspectors from Russia will conduct a final inspection to approve Canadian exporting facilities this May and June, an official with the Canadian Beef Export Federation (CBEF) said.

Ted Haney, President of the CBEF, confirmed that Russian officials had completed the inspection of the genetics sector of the Canadian live cattle industry a few months ago and expects approval of 22 Canadian facilities to fully resume its beef exports to Russia.

The 22 facilities in Canada that have requested the inspection by the Russian officials represent roughly 90 percent of Canada's beef production.

Canadian live cattle, embryos and beef products had been banned from Russia since the discovery of

bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) or mad cow disease in an Alberta cow in May of 2003.

Haney said Russia is one of the many important markets for livestock genetics in the world, particularly as that country is in the process of building their dairy and their beef herds.

He said it was likely that initially, boneless beef from animals under 30 months of age and identifiable offal products will be allowed into Russia from Canada, upon the approval of the Russian inspectors.

Prior to BSE, Canada shipped about 4,000 metric tonnes of beef products to Russia on an annual basis, Haney said.

Meanwhile, a shipment of 500 Angus and 1,500 Holsteins from Canada are in the process of preparation for export to Russia.