July 12, 2007

Russia to conduct inspections of US and Canadian poultry farms

Seven russian veterinary inspectors are conducting inspections of poultry farms in the US and Canada to confirm the safety practices and hygiene standards at the farms, according to the Federal Veterinarian and Phytosanitary Control Service.

The 20-day mission has begun in Canada. Russia asked the US Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) to coordinate the schedule of inspections. Russia stopped deliveries from several US poultry farms after detecting salmonella in some of the chickens.

Russia is a leading importer of US poultry. While tonnage of poultry imported fell 4.9 percent to 748,576 tonnes in 2006 compared to 2005, value fell 31 percent to US$461.5 million as bird flu caused chicken prices to plummet.