March 3, 2010

Top US and Russian officials are looking at poultry processing alternatives to chlorine in the hopes of finding a solution to a trade spat that has shut US chicken out of its top export market.

After two days of talks, Jim Miller, the USDA's undersecretary charged with trade matters, will remain in Moscow, US Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said.

"Hopefully, we get something done in the next couple of days," he told reporters on the sidelines of a hearing on Capitol Hill.

Russia suspended US poultry imports on January 19 because it said a chlorine wash routinely used in US processing plants violates its food safety standards. The US said its poultry is safe but talks last month in Moscow failed to resolve the issue.

Sanderson Farms Inc, a major US chicken producer, said last week it was trying a new rinse in some plants in hopes of winning back sales to Russia.

Tyson Foods Inc said on Monday (Mar 1) it had reduced the amount of chicken it exports to Russia to about 10% of its total exports, from 26% four years ago, as the company works to find other markets for the product.

The USDA is "very optimistic" it can resolve a separate issue that has stopped pork exports from most US plants, Vilsack said.