Yara Aquino
Reporter - Agência Brasil

Brasília - The Ukranian government authorized the importation of fresh meat from Brazil, except meat produced in the states of Mato Grosso do Sul and Paraná.

According to information from the Ministry of Agriculture, as of November 17, Ukrania had suspended meat imports from Brazil, due to the focuses of hoof and mouth disease identified in the second half of this year.

Brazilian meat exports to Ukrania in 2004 amounted to 84.6 thousand tons and generated revenues of US$ 88.9 million. In the first half of this year, meat shipments to Ukrania totaled 15.2 thousand tons, worth US$ 23 million.

Besides being able to resume sales to Ukrania, Brazil will also be permitted to participate in an eventual public bidding process sponsored by the Ukranian government to build up its current beef and pork stocks, which currently stand at 41% of the planned level.

Translation: David Silberstein