Rosselkhoznadzor (the state agricultural watchdog) imposed some temporary bans on the import of meat from seven farms based in Brazil, the United States, Argentina, and Poland on September 8, 2010. The ban has to do with the prohibited and harmful substances detected in the foods supplied by the companies, RIA Novosti reports.

The ban involves four Brazilian enterprises run by JBS S/A, the U.S. Swift Beef Company, the Polish Zaklad Przemyslu Miesnego Biernacki, and JBS ARGENTINA SA.

Brazilian veterinary authorities promised to Rosselkhoznadzor in October 2009 that all the Russian veterinary and sanitation import requirements would be met. Nevertheless, the Russian monitoring agencies detected some harmful substances in the meat supplied. During the summer months, Rosselkhoznadzor asked the Brazilian party for an inspection by the Russian vets, but to no avail.

The agency finally warned the Brazilian authorities in August 2010 that in case they fail to provide the inspection, Rosselkhoznadzor will have to stop the import of meat from companies whose lab tests were found unsatisfactory.

On September 14, 2010, import bans will be imposed on two more Brazilian companies: the meat supplied by these companies contained Listeria in one case and Salmonella in the other.