Russia suspended today its embargo on beef and pork imports from six Brazilian states: São Paulo, Minas Gerais, Rio Grande do Sul, Paraná, Mato Grosso do Sul, and Goiás.
According to the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, and Supply, Roberto Rodrigues, the termination of the embargo on Brazilian meat benefits the principal meat-producing states in Brazil.
“The news is great, since the problem directed affected chicken, pork, and beef exports, and these issues have been removed,” Rodrigues affirmed.
The Russian embargo on Brazilian meat began in September, 2004, when an outbreak of hoof and mouth disease was detected in the municipality of Careiro de Várzea, in the state of Amazonas.
In November, however, the Russian government authorized meat imports from the state of Santa Catarina, the only Brazilian state rid of the disease without the need for vaccinating its herd.
In the beginning of February of this year, the Russians permitted the importation of Brazilian chicken, with the exception of chicken produced in the states of Pará and Amazonas.
A Brazilian mission headed by the secretary of Agricultural Protection, Gabriel Alves Maciel, is meeting with Russian officials in Moscow this week to discuss ending the embargo on the states of Mato Grosso and Tocantins.
According to the Russian government, these two states border on Amazonas and Pará, where the most recent outbreaks of hoof and mouth disease occurred in Brazil.
Translation: David Silberstein
Agência Brasil
