Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Russia Blocks More U.S. Pork Exporters

Russia has blocked imports from more U.S. pork processing plants. Among them are JBS-Swift & Co.'s plant in Worthington, Minn., according to USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service.

Other plants blocked by Russia include Albert Lea Select Foods of Albert Lea, Minn.; Rupari Food Service of South Holland, Ill.; Northwood Farms of Northwood, Iowa; and Dakota Pack, of Estherville, Iowa. The ban is effective Dec. 20.

Russia has offered nothing in the way of explanation, other than to inform USDA that these plants did not meet Russian import protocol, FSIS spokeswoman Amanda Eamich told Meatingplace.com.

The latest action comes one week after Russia suspended imports from six other U.S. pork plants. That came about two weeks after Moscow banned an Indiana pork packer.

Russia is cutting its pork import quota by 200,000 tons for 2009, saying it can produce it themselves.

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