NOBULL: Russia moves to block U.S. beef, pork exports — Product not tested and certified as ractopamine-free would be barred entry.
Russia moves to block U.S. beef, pork exports
12/10/2012
Russia has notified Washington that all U.S. beef and pork exports must be certified as ractopamine-free. Over 160 countries have banned the usage of ractopamine.
The move would effectively halt U.S. beef and pork exports to Russia because the agency does not have a testing and certification program in place for the leanness-enhancing feed additive.
USDA officials are hoping to avert that issue.
“The United States has requested that Russia delay or suspend the proposed testing program until we engage in technical discussions to resolve this issue without disrupting trade and in keeping with our obligations as World Trade Organization members,” USDA spokesman Matthew Herrick said in an emailed statement.
The U.S. and Russia have had a long back-and-forth on ractopamine. But it was last Wednesday, U.S. Meat Export Federation spokesman Joe Schuele said when Moscow announced a deadline that from Saturday product not tested and certified as ractopamine-free would be barred entry.
In spite of being banned in most other countries, North America allows usage of a variety of drugs, feed additives and implants to alter and stimulate growth in meat animals.