Russia is imposing restrictions on the import of meat products from Spain, Canada, France, Argentina and China, which will go into effect 7 September.
On 7 September, Russia imposes the restrictions on imports of meat produced by some enterprises of Spain, Canada, France, Argentina and China, said the press service of the Russian Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance.
Harmful substances found
The decision was made because of the detection of prohibited and harmful substances in animal products supplied to Russia from these countries. The prohibited imports include poultry meat and pork from Spain, rabbit meat from China, beef from Argentina, pork fat from France as well as pork from Canada.
According to the Russian Federal State Statistics Service, in January-June 2009 meat imports to Russia have been reduced to 25.5% compared to the same period last year, when they amounted to 38%.
As the Ministry of Agriculture of Russia forecasts – by the end of 2009 the share of imported meat in Russia will be reduced to 25%.
By Evegen Vorotnikov