Russia restricts Brazilian and German poultry imports

The official said salmonella had been found in various chicken products from four German importers, and also accused Brazil of “deliberately hiding” information on animal diseases there. Imports from five Brazilian companies were already restricted earlier this month after listeria was found in products from four companies and salmonella in a fifth.

The restrictions are the latest to be imposed by Russian authorities on food and other agriculture imports from the European Union. Russia’s ban on Polish meat imports, introduced in late 2005, is a major point of contention between Moscow and the European Union. The ban led Warsaw to veto the start of talks on a new EU-Russia partnership agreement.

In addition to Brazil and Germany, Rosselkhoznadzor has also banned imports from companies in the United States, France and Uruguay after salmonella was detected.

There was no immediate reaction to the decision in either Brazil or Germany.