Russia to suspend pork imports from Smithfield plant

Russia will suspend imports of pork products from Smithfield Packing Co.'s Smithfield, Virginia, slaughter facility effective July 15, USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) said Wednesday (July 8).

FSIS gave no indication on the reason behind Russia's latest ban, another in a long series that has become an issue of hot debate between officials from both countries.

US Commerce secretary Gary Locke on Wednesday urged Moscow to lift bans on US pork and poultry as a way to move forward on other trade matters between the two countries.