Alexei Alexeenko, from the Russian veterinary watchdog Rosselkhoznadzor, the department may decide to impose a ban on the import of number of goods of “high risk category” from Australia in the next week or two.
He said the ban will be applied “mostly to beef supplies”, however other types of meat may also may be affected as long as there exists the possibility that it contains ractopamine or trenbolone.
"In meat products fromAustraliahas been found ractopamine. At the same times we discovered that they are using other growth stimulators that we are not allowed [inRussia]. In this connection, we will implement serious measures to the enterprises. Now, our experts assess the scale of the problem,” he said.
In addition, Rosselhoznadzor announced it has expanded testing on products coming from Australia, and is calling on Australian authorities to validate the security of its supplies.
In 2012 Rosselkhoznadzor repeatedly stated that Australian manufacturers of meat used ractopamine.
At present, 47 Australian companies have access to the Russian market, although eight of those companies are currently under restriction.
A report by the body said: "Ractopamine is used in animal husbandry to gain the muscle of animals. This additive is banned in 160 countries, including the members of the Custom Union countries and in the EU. Because of it, Rosselhoznadzor from December 2012 significantly reduced the list of suppliers of meat and meat products from Mexico, Canada and Brazil, and in February of this year, imposed a ban on the import of pork and beef from the United States."
According to official information on the results of 2013Australiawill deliver 30,000t of beef to Russia.
According to Australian exporters, the Russian market is very important for Australian beef producers - in particular they had previously expressed concerns about Russia's intentions to allow the export of beef from the United States in early 2014, which could damage Australia's livestock positions in the Customs Union.
Currently, experts do not exclude the possibility that the ban on the import of beef fromAustraliacan be put in parallel with the partial lifting of a ban on beef imports from theUnited States, in order not to create a shortage in the market.