October 23, 2006

Russia agrees to accept Canadian beef and live cattle

Russia has agreed to lift a ban on Canadian breeding cattle and boneless beef, with final approval of technical regulations pending, according to a Canadian government release.

Russian inspectors would carry out inspections of Canadian beef plants and shipments of live cattle in the next few days and final approval is expected soon after.

Chuck Strahl, minister of agriculture and Agri-Food Canada hailed the agreement as great news for Canada's livestock and beef industry and a boon for both Russia and Canada.

Canada is hoping to negotiate for acceptance of boneless beef from cattle of any age, the new standard of the World Organisation for Animal Health.

Both sides would fast-track finalisation of the agreement although no date has been set for the first shipments, a spokesman from Canadian authorities said.