October 15, 2009
Canada hopes for restoration of pork exports to Russia
Canada's Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz is hopeful the flow of Canadian pork into Russia will be fully restored following inspections of Canadian processing plants by Russian officials next month, writes Bruce Cochrane.
In May, in response to the spread of AH1N1 flu, Russia imposed bans on the import of live pigs and raw pork and pork products from several Canadian provinces.
By the end of June, bans had been lifted on products from Alberta, Nova Scotia, British Columbia and Quebec and in mid-July remaining bans on products from Ontario were lifted.
Ritz indicated he hopes to see a full restoration of the movement of Canadian pork into Russia following inspections slated for next month of Canadian pork processing plants that had been de-listed.
