December 20, 2012

 

Canada pork shippers to comply with Russia's ractopamine policy

 

 

Canada's pork shippers will work towards fulfilling requirements of Russia's new zero tolerance policy for the feed additive, ractopamine, in meat exports.

 

In a letter to Russia's Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (VPSS), the Canada Pork International said that all Canadian pork exports destined for Russia are being tested to ensure they are free of ractopamine.

 

Russia is Canada's second-biggest pork export market in volume.

 

The tests are being conducted at one of three laboratories certified by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). The government agency's export certificates now must be accompanied by lab tests for ractopamine, Jacques Pomerleau, executive director of Canada Pork International said.

 

Canada Pork sent the letter to VPSS to clarify the shippers' position - that there is a strong consensus to comply with the requirement, Pomerleau said.

 

The CFIA itself has not changed its own procedures and tests for meat exports to Russia, Pomerleau confirmed. Last week, Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz said the government had made no change and had told Russia that Canada does not think its new requirement is based on science.

 

US trade and agriculture authorities have taken a stand against Russia's sudden decision to require that meat imports be documented as free of ractopamine.

 

A US trade official said the US remains "very concerned that Russia has taken these actions, which appear to be inconsistent with its obligations as a member of the World Trade Organisation".

 

The Canadian pork industry is also working on new protocols to demonstrate that Canadian pork shipments to Russia were derived from pigs which were not raised with the drug, which is used to make meat leaner.

 

Canada has shipped virtually no beef to Russia since it imposed the new rule on ractopamine, said John Masswohl, director of government and international relations for the Canadian Cattlemen's Association.

 

Masswohl said he's aware of only two major Canadian processing facilities - both owned by Cargill Ltd - that are currently eligible to ship beef to Russia.

 

Cargill could not be reached for comment.

 

Russia is a significant high-end market for Canadian steaks, but not one of Canada's biggest beef customers in overall volume.