Will Russia lower US poultry imports?

Russia's imports of US poultry may be reduced as US producers have yet to comply with Russian safety laws.

"Three or four years ago, Russia imported 1.3 million tonnes of poultry from the US. In 2010, the quota is 600,000 tonnes. It should be further reduced because chlorine requirements have not been met," Russian Prime Minister, Putin said in an annual speech delivered to the lower house of Russian parliament.

Russia banned imports of poultry cleansed with chlorine since January 1. US trade negotiators have said the ban on chlorine would raise prices on imported poultry and hurt US exporters.

Putin's remarks seem to contradict Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who said in January, ''technologically, American poultry producers are prepared to observe (Russian) standards."