According to a notice issued Thursday (July 1) by FSIS, the current Russia beef certificate may be used until the new certificates are available. There is a delay in the availability of Russia pork certificates, but they will be ready for distribution on July 2. Exporters should check with their inspector to be sure an order has been placed for new certificates.
Both FSIS and Russia’s Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance Service (VPSS) consider July 1, 2010, to be the issuance date, rather than a port arrival date, for the new certificate. Therefore, beginning July 1, the new certificate must be issued for all pork shipments to Russia.
Effective June 22, Russia has suspended imports of beef variety meat from Brazil. The suspension does not appear to be region or plant-specific, covering all beef variety meat from Brazil.