Russia Bans U.S. Beef and Pork Over Ractopamine
Russia has announced that effective Feb. 11, it will initiate a ban on all imports of U.S. beef and pork chilled and frozen products if the animals received the feed additive ractopamine.
Russia has announced that effective Feb. 11, it will initiate a ban on all imports of U.S. beef and pork chilled and frozen products if the animals received the feed additive ractopamine. Earlier this year, Russia declared that U.S. beef and pork exports must be tested and certified free of ractopamine. A USDA spokesperson said, “These actions threaten to undermine our bilateral trade relationship. They are not consistent with international standards and appear to be inconsistent with Russia’s World Trade Organization (WTO) commitments.” USDA also called on Russia to “suspend these unjustified measures and restore market access for U.S. beef and pork products.” The U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) estimates that the United States exported $203.7 million in beef and $202.9 million in pork products to Russia during the first nine months of 2012. Last summer, the international body, the World Health Organization’s Codex Alimentarius, approved ractopamine use.
About the Author
You May Also Like