July 30, 2010

 

Russia allows more US poultry imports

 

Russia has once again approved US poultry from 39 more processing plants or storage facilities, USDA said Wednesday (July 28).

 

After the two countries reached a deal in June in which US chicken going to Russia will not be treated with chlorine, Russia has begun accepting poultry from US facilities late last week.

 

Once the top export market for US chicken taking about US$800 million worth annually, Russia banned the meat early this year claiming the chlorine treatment violated its food safety rules. Chlorine was used as a disinfectant but now US companies shipping to Russia will use other treatments.

 

To date, the approved plants include those of the nation's top producers such as Tyson Foods Inc, Pilgrim's Pride Corp, Perdue Farms, Sanderson Farms Inc, Mountaire Farms and Koch Foods.