June 10, 2009
Russia expands ban on US meat imports on AH1N1 fears
Russian regulators are expanding bans on pork and other meat imports to more US states, citing AH1N1 flu fears.
The decision to include Wisconsin, Washington and Illinois brings the number of states affected by the ban on pork, chicken and other meat imports to seven.
Pork imports are already banned from four other states.
A spokesman for the agricultural oversight agency Rosselkhoznadzor said the move is temporary and meant to protect Russians from the disease.
The spokesman also on said Tuesday (June 8) that the agency still has questions about what steps the US is taking to prevent the disease's spread.
US officials complain that humans cannot get the virus from eating pork and that the ban is designed to protect Russian producers.
