The Department of Agriculture has confirmed that the Russian authorities have imposed a ban on beef from Co Clare because of the levels of BSE in the county. Russia, which is Ireland's second-largest customer for beef, has already banned beef from Cos Cork, Tipperary, Monaghan, Cavan, Limerick, Donegal, and Meath.
It had also banned the import of beef from Co Wexford but last September, Wexford was restored as a county from which beef could be sourced because of a falling BSE rate.
Confirming the imposition of the ban, a Department of Agriculture spokesman said the ban has not greatly affected beef sales which were worth £150 million last year.