July 23, 2010

Russia bans more US pork plants

 

Russia has banned pork from two more US packing plants beginning August 2, including the world's largest pork plant, but no reason was given, according to a USDA report issued Thursday (July 22).

Pork from Smithfield Foods Inc's plants at Clinton and Tar Heel, North Carolina, was banned. Tar Heel is the world's largest pork plant and Smithfield Foods is the world's biggest pork company.

Previously, Russia blocked pork from other US plants amid claims the meat contains a banned antibiotic. In March, Russian authorities said 18 US pork plants were approved to resume shipments to that country.

The USDA report on Thursday said pork from Seaboard Foods' plant in Guymon, Oklahoma, was banned to Russia beginning July 10.