Agência Brasil

Brasília - The secretary of Agricultural Protection of the Brazilian Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, and Supply, Gabriel Alves Maciel, is heading a mission that leaves today for Moscow (Russia) to negotiate an end to the embargo imposed on Brazilian meat. According to the Ministry's press office, the remaining technical issues will be discussed in order to remove the barriers to Brazilian meat imports.

Early this month Russia freed Brazilian chicken imports, with the exception of chicken produced in the states of Pará and Amazonas. Meat imports from state of Santa Catarina have been free of the Russian restrictions since last November, since Santa Catarina is the only state rid of hoof and mouth disease without vaccinations.

At the technical meeting scheduled for Thursday (3) with representatives of the Russian Federal Service of Veterinary and Plant Supervision, the Brazilians hope that Russia will decide to end the embargo, which began in September, 2004, when an incidence of hoof and mouth disease was discovered in the state of Amazonas.

Translation: David Silberstein