Russia Restricts Brazil Beef Imports After Mad Cow Cases

 Russia has imposed restrictions on Brazilian meatpackers after two atypical cases of mad cow disease were detected this month, the Valor Economico newspaper reported on Friday.

According to Valor, Russian agriculture safety watchdog Rosselkhoznadzor determined that beef imports from the states of Mato Grosso and Minas Gerais, where the mad cow cases were found, can happen only if from cows slaughtered at 30 months or under.

The beef would also need veterinary certification regarding the age of slaughtered cows, Valor said, adding that the restrictions are also valid for live cattle imports.

The move comes after Saudi Arabia suspended beef imports from five Brazilian meatpackers located in Minas Gerais.

Brazil - the world's largest beef exporter - had also temporarily suspended its shipments to its No. 1 customer China, in line with a health protocol signed between the two countries.

Brazil's Agriculture Ministry and Russia's Rosselkhoznadzor did not immediately respond to Reuters emailed requests for comment.

(Reporting by Gabriel Araujo; editing by Jason Neely)