The Russian veterinary service Rosselkhoznadzor will embargo meat imports from ten branches of Brazilian companies starting June 9th, including the following slaughterhouses of cattle and pigs: JBS, Marfrig and BRF, the Russian government’s agency said.
The veterinary service said the decision was taken after an inspection of Brazilian branches took place in March by Russian inspectors, according to Interfax news agency.
Russia was Brazil’s second largest beef importer in 2014 and the largest buyer of Brazilian pork. The largest companies that have suffered restrictions are able to redirect exports to authorized branches, according to the association of exporters. The violations that were found showed a significant degree of risk, Rosselkhoznadzor said in a statement.
The causes of embargoes were not fully detailed by the Russian agency, which has already taken similar measures in the past, when branches were temporarily suspended. Besides the embargo, a ban to two factories that had been authorized was maintained. The Russian service sent the Brazilian authorities a report on the results of inspections and has set a two month deadline for comments.
Brazil, which has been the largest global exporter of beef in recent years, still has 28 beef factories authorized by Russia, according to the Brazilian Association of Meat Exporters (Abiec).