End of Russian restrictions on Brazilian beef imports due to atypical BSE case in Pará

The Brazilian government welcomed the announcement today, April 7, of the end of restrictions on Brazilian beef imposed by Russia due to an isolated case of atypical Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) in the state of Pará. The announcement, which adds to the recent reopening of the Philippine market, achieved on March 28, and the reopening of other markets (note no. 109/2023), represents the full normalization of trade in the product with Russia.

Unlike the classic form of the disease - known as "mad cow disease" - the atypical form is naturally and spontaneously occurring in cattle herds, and does not represent a risk to public health, according to guidelines from the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH).

Because of the case, Russia had suspended, on March 1, the importation of beef from animals over 30 months old from Pará.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MRE), through its network of embassies, together with the agricultural attachés of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAPA) in strategic countries, has been acting since the occurrence of the BSE case to avoid undue market closures.

In 2022, beef exports to Russia totaled about $165 million, equivalent to 24 thousand tons of the product. The Philippines is the sixth destination of Brazil's beef exports, totaling $275 million in 2022 (61 thousand tons).