Russia
has temporarily banned
imports of pork and beef products from some
of Brazil’s
companies from Dec. 1, the
country’s agricultural safety watchdog Rosselkhoznadzor said on
Monday.
Russia
said last week it was considering a ban on all pork and beef imports
from Brazil after finding the feed additive ractopamine in some
shipments, an allegation Brazilian meat industry groups denied.
“Given
the seriousness of the situation, Rosselkhoznadzor is forced to take
urgent measures to protect Russian consumers and the domestic food
market and introduce temporary restrictions from Dec. 1 this year,”
the agency said in a statement.
Brazil
Agriculture Minister Blairo Maggi said that only a few companies were
affected by the restrictions with the rest operating as usual.
“I
do not consider this as a market closure, but something that happens
regularly in inspections, which is what they are for,” Maggi told
reporters in Brasilia.
