Russia lifts ban on Brazil beef

Marts: The ban by Russia on meat imports from Brazil has been lifted with trade between the two countries to resume next week.

This development marks the first easing of the ban on exports from Brazil following the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease there during the final quarter of 2005, and will be watched closely by Irish and EU exporters because of the reliance on Russia as a non EU outlet for EU producers.

The resumption of imports by Russia of beef and pork from the Brazilian states of Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina is to be effected immediately according to the Brazilian exporters association.