Russia Bans Meat From State, Officials Say

Russia has banned meat products and livestock shipped from Florida, citing fears over anthrax cases in the state, U.S. agriculture officials said in Tallahassee.

The Russian agriculture ministry notified the Department of Agriculture about the temporary ban Wednesday.

“We don’t think it has any scientific basis,” said department spokesman Terence McElroy.

Farmers across the country could feel the repercussions.

“Florida is just the distribution or shipping point for these products,” McElroy said. “The vast bulk of them are not from Florida. Most of the beef would be from the Midwest, the poultry would probably be from the Carolinas.”