MOSCOW, Oct. 22 (UPI) -- Russia has lifted a ban imposed last week on the import of livestock and meat products from Florida that was caused by the anthrax scare in the state, the Agriculture Ministry said Monday.
A ministry spokesman said Russia's veterinary inspector general had decided to lift the ban after the U.S. department of Agriculture presented evidence that no cattle or poultry had been exposed to or infected with anthrax.
However, the spokesman said the ban could be reimposed if a single case of infection of farm animals in Florida with anthrax is registered.
Russia last week became the first country to ban import of animal products from Florida because of the anthrax outbreak. The country imports large amounts of meat and poultry from the United States.
Two people have contracted anthrax in Florida over the past few weeks, and one fatality has been registered in the state.
