Russia to impose temporary ban on Australian beef by-products

MOSCOW, Jan 16 (Reuters) - Russian authorities said on Thursday a temporary ban on imports of Australian beef by-products would be imposed from Jan. 27.

Australia is the world's third-largest beef exporter after the United States and Brazil. More than 30 Australian firms are currently allowed to supply beef and by-products to Russia.

The restriction was prompted by the detection in several shipments of a growth stimulant which is prohibited in Russia, the Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance Service said in a statement.

Russia imported 1.1 million tonnes of red meat worth $4.5 billion in January-November 2013, according to official customs data.

(Reporting by Polina Devitt, editing by David Evans)

((Polina.Devitt@thomsonreuters.com)(+7 495 775 12 42)(Reuters Messaging: polina.devitt.reuters.com@reuters.net))

Keywords: RUSSIA MEAT/AUSTRALIA