April 7, 2009
Russia bans poultry imports from Kentucky
Russia, the largest buyer of US chicken meat, has suspended imports of fresh and frozen poultry from the US state of Kentucky, according to the USDA.
Meat derived from birds raised or processed in Kentucky and slaughtered on or after April 3, 2009, will be ineligible for export to Russia. Fresh and frozen poultry meat from birds slaughtered before April 3 will be allowed.
The Kentucky Department of Agriculture reported a suspected case of low pathogenic bird flu in a single broiler and breeder poultry farm in western Kentucky on Friday (Apr 3).
The farm, which has been quarantined, produces hatching eggs for Perdue Farms Inc. Perdue plans to cull 20,000 chickens in two houses on the farm, said the Kentucky Department of Agriculture.
