September 7, 2005

Russia will not restrict US poultry imports from hurricane-hit states

Russia's government said it would not impose restrictions on poultry imports from US states recently hit by Hurricane Katrina, following prompt guarantees from the US government about the quality of all poultry products from those regions.

The Russian Federal Veterinary and Phytosanitary Control Service had earlier sent inquires to the US government regarding the condition of poultry farms licensed for chicken deliveries to Russia, and of refrigerator plants and ports in the Mexico Bay area.

According to experts, southern US states made up about a third of American poultry exports to Russia.

Russia imported 320,000 tonnes of chicken quarters from the US during January to June this year, which was a 14 percent year-on-year rise, reports said.