"Rosselkhoznadzor will be forced to do this because the term of Russian veterinary specialists working in Brazil to control shipments of raw meat to Russia expires in the middle of April, and an official invitation for a new group has not been received," he said.

The Russian specialists are working in Brazil because Rosselkhoznadzor does not feel the existing system of control for meat imports guarantees the safety of the products, particularly because of foot-and-mouth disease, which is frequently registered in the country. "But we'll make a decision on importing boiled meat so as not to shut down trade completely with such a large partner like Brazil," he said.

Many countries import boiled meat, particularly for the production of canned meats, he said.

Brazil is one of the leading suppliers of meat products to Russia. The Agrarian Market Affairs Institute (IKAR) said Brazilian beef imports totaled 254,000 tonnes in 2006, or 40% of overall beef imports to Russia. Argentina ranked second with a 23% share of beef imports.

Source:Interfax