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Russia bans cattle imports over virus
01.02.2012 18:14 "Agro Perspectiva" (Kyiv) —
Russias food safety watchdog Rosselkhoznadzor imposed a temporary ban on cattle import from Germany, the Netherlands, the UK, France and Belgium on February 1 due to the spread of the Schmallenberg virus. Russia blames the EU for an inefficient biosafety system.
The Schmallenberg virus is spread by insects and causes fever, indigestion, a sharp drop of milk production and miscarriages of cows and sheep.
The EU hasn’t yet restricted the movement of cattle from the infected regions.
Scientists don’t know whether the virus is dangerous for humans but Russia wants to be of the safe side, says spokesman for Rosselkhoznadzor Alexei Alexeenko:
«We have already had cases when virulent viruses have spread in Russia, like the African swine fever which hit the entire Russian south. We bore far greater economic losses than those due to the import ban.»
Experts don’t think that the ban will greatly affect Russia’s meat market.
Traditionally Russia buys beef from ArgentinaUruguay, Brazil and Australia. Lamb comes from Australia and New Zealand so the ban will not change much, believes agricultural market expert Evgeny Ivanov:
«No matter what happens next we’ll hardly be starving. We have our own production and other suppliers.»
The ban will not affect the market as it concerns only livestock import but not meat.
On January 31, Russia’s Rosselkhoznadzor offered help to the virus-stricken countries, proposing to conduct research and a diagnosis of the virus.
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